She sets down the latest vase of flowers.
She looks over the sleeping body and lingers in the memories. This was all too familiar for the reigning queen of Knothole. She had seen this sight too many times in her life and yet she had to accept it. The Hero of Knothole had been sidelined. Not of voluntary means but due to a plot of vengeance running so deep and so long that it could only come from a cold-hearted beast. Still, the queen steadied her mind, trying to focus on things with the fragile foundation before her. She shakes her head and leans in closer to the bed-ridden hedgehog.
Queen Sally kisses Sonic the Hedgehog on his forehead.
A small gesture that meant everything to her majesty, a kiss for everyday he'd been down and out. Sally stood up and felt his hand then smiled. She knew there was hope for his return no matter how bleak things seemed outside this room. Sally's ear's twitched and she slightly turned to door. In a ruckus, the door opened with the prince and princess of Knothole pouring into the room. They pushed and shoved their way into the room and eventually slammed the door closed. Sally fully turned to her progeny and sighed.
"You're late." Sally folds her arms. "Again."
"Time is a concept." Sonia retorted, walking to her father's side. She was embracing the idea that Sonic would wake up soon and bring him a little trinket every week. "G'morning dad! Look what I got you today! Uncle Chuck's restaurant chain opened a few days ago and I got you a toy from the kids menu."
Sonia shoves the toy into Sonic's face and squeezes the lever for the Overlander toy to clap its hands. Sonia sets it on his bedside table. "We can play with it when you wake up; tomorrow, now, whenever is good for you."
Sally's heart softened and she smiled to her daughter. Manic approaches and simply feels his father's hand then backs away when he grew self-conscious.
"Hurry back dad." Manic quietly states.
"He's right here silly." Sonia guffaws. "Dad's gonna pop up any moment now."
"Sonia." Sally scolded. "He's not a jack-in-the-box. There will be signs before he awakens again."
Sonia folds her arms. "I know, mom, geez."
"I just want you to know so that your expectations aren't subverted."
Sonia whispers to Manic. "Am I supposed to know what that means?"
Manic turns to Sally. "So you're saying we should abandon all hope?"
Sally squeezes the bridge of her nose. "Goodness gracious, listen to me children, I am speaking from experience here."
Sally eases to her kid's level and puts hands on each of their shoulders.
"Your father's Chaos Energy was over-exerted in the explosion. His body is close to healing but there's nothing we can do for the chaotic side. As much as we know about Chaos Energy there are still vast amounts we cannot comprehend. What I'm trying to say is, it could be a long time before we see him up and running again."
Manic and Sonia gravely accepted.
Sonia slowly shakes her head no. "You didn't tell us this earlier? Why? You had us going along with this for two months and you're just now-"
"Sonia, please." Sally sighs. "I just found out yesterday."
Sonia reels back her anger.
"I had a feeling something like this would happen." Manic turns away.
"This doesn't mean there isn't hope." Sally smiled. "Shadow the Hedgehog volunteered to stay here while Tails and Rotor research what they can about Billion Rings Chaos Energy. Since they shared an equal quota, there could be a breakthrough. Alright?"
"Alright." The kids nodded.
Sally checks the clock and gathers herself.
"Well my day is just about to begin." Sally headed for the door. "What are two going to do today?"
Sonia and Manic look to each other. "Nothing. Chill. Watch TV. Food will definitely be involved. Maybe an activity?"
"A wasteful day." Sally scolded her kids. "I swear I can't wait until this is over so you can be up out of my house."
"Well we have our class with Rotor still." Manic saved their lazy pride.
Sally nearly forgot. "That's right. At least there's some education getting to those minds of yours. Come to think of it, you two hardly complain about the class anymore, what's going on?"
Sonia defended. "Uh… we've had a change of heart?"
Sally furrows her brow.
Manic steps forward. "It's for Uncle Chuck."
Sally humbly nods and grips the handle. "I see. Well, guys I'll see you later."
Sally exits the room as Sonia and Manic sigh in relief.
"I thought I was gonna spill the beans there for a second." Sonia relaxed and turned for her father.
"You have to be more careful Sonia." Manic wiped his face in anguish.
"Look who's growing up all of a sudden."
Manic didn't want to agree with the jab of a statement but he took it to heart.
"We should go back for Trace." Manic realized.
"In a second, in a second." Sonia waved him off. "I wanna say bye to dad first."
Manic watched his sister approach Sonic and kissed him on the cheek. She then pinched the same cheek and leapt from the bed. She slides before Manic who smiles and rolls his eyes.
"Don't you wanna say bye?" Sonia asked.
Manic hesitated. "I'll talk to him later."
Sonia and Manic exit the hospital room and close the door behind them.
Tails stares at his monitor.
He surveys the latest readings of this current project and reaches for his drink. He still felt stiff after the explosion those two months ago. There was a distinct click in his arm as he stretches for his ice water. Age and attrition is catching up to the young fox – to everyone really. He looks over the screen to see Shadow glaring at him. Tails maintained a serious tone but deep down he was really enjoying this.
"Tell me you have some new information this week." Shadow sighed. He was covered in sensory equipment with folded arms and furrowed brow.
Tails sips his drink then stands. "By all accounts Shadow, your body is nearly healed but getting a distinct reading on your Chaos Energy is very hard."
"You think me a fool a don't you." Shadow spat. "I know it's possible to sense Chaotic Energy. I've seen Knuckles do it countless times."
"Well yeah! Knuckles has a gift when it comes to that stuff. Even still it's like this… Chaos Energy only talks with Chaos Energy. It's like a closed network, a walky-talky for example. The problem is no matter what we do to try and enter that network it keeps kicking us out like a bouncer at a club."
"Perhaps the frequencies are misaligned." Shadow considered.
Tails inquired. "What do you mean?"
"Whenever I use Chaos Control, the energy used is drawn from all around you; time, space, nature, and myself. If you don't get into synchronization with all four of them then you aren't going anywhere."
Tails scratched his chin and turned around. "You may be onto something… Wait… how did you find this stuff out?"
"Are you insinuating I'm stupid?"
Tails wanted to answer the fun way. "No."
"As this worlds ultimate life form I am privy to all classes of knowledge." Shadow starts to rip the medical sensors from his body. "Perhaps my time being friendly has made you forget this aspect."
"Chill out Shadow, It's been a long time okay?" Tails furrowed his brow turning serious. "It's just no one else knows about Chaos Energy here so I was shaken."
Shadow simply shakes his head. "You may have been away for years to this point, but there is an untapped resource here in the city that may have the answers you seek."
"Untapped?"
"It's one of the reasons I've decided to extend my stay here." Shadow walks for the door. "Follow me."
Tails steps behind Shadow as the two exit the laboratory.
Downtown Knothole was buzzing with media personalities and the public.
There was a sizable crowd just on the stoop of the Grand Courthouse while lawyers and judges entered and exited the building. This crowd wanted to speak their minds about the bombings two months ago and just what should happen with suspects Hershey and Geoffery St. John. Queen Sally arrived via one of many underground tunnels to avoid media speculation and interrogation. The elevator doors opened and she steps into the hall while Bunnie and Antoine await her presence. Antoine wore his left arm in a sling while looking regal in his former uniform - his belly started to poke through the stressed buttons. He pushed Bunnie forward in her wheelchair as she gestured for hugs to her queen.
"Hey guys." Sally sighed embracing her friends.
"Are you being prepared for what is going on in there?" Antoine asked.
"Partially." Sally squeezed out a response.
"Now Sally, don't you worry, we got your back like chiropractic, girl."
Sally smiled at the sentiment then motioned for the two of them to precede her into the massive courtroom. There were a select few in the crowd to observe the ordeals while Hershey and Geoffery were sitting beside their lawyer. Sally, Bunnie, and Antoine sat just behind the prosecuting attorney. Antoine managed to catch a glimpse and wave to the faces he recognized in the back. Amy returned with a wave as Cream folded her arms and got comfortable.
"Cream be nice." Amy nudged her best friend.
"I don't have to if I don't want to." Cream closed her eyes.
Within minutes the judge entered and sat on her proverbial throne for the court. The attorney was a well-dressed falcon in an expensive suit name Weaver. He was still stacking a few papers when the defendants stood ready and willing.
"Now as I understand it, this is the most major case Knothole will have ever seen. I am not looking forward to the proceedings but I feel as a private citizen to one of the greatest cities on the face of Mobius I consider it an honor. With that out of the way I'd like to call this court to session. The people versus Hershey and Geoffery St. John."
Sally nods her head as the gavel bangs.
Weavers attention finally focused and his piercing eyes honed in.
The judge continued. "They are suspected of the following crimes: four counts of attempted regicide, sixty-one counts of attempted murder, seven in assault by terroristic means, two counts of conspiracy, and one count each of possession of illegal weapons, illegal explosives, unlicensed firearms, a mess of unpaid parking tickets, and jaywalking… ugh…"
The people of the court were quietly murmuring as the judge took off her glasses.
"The defendants have already plead not guilty in arraignment, so therefore we are all here at this trial. Counselor Weaver you may deliberate your opening statements when you are ready."
Weaver stood up from his seat.
"They can go first." Weaver said with some arrogance.
"Counselor you are the accuser, it is customary for you to accuse."
"Nah, were good." Weaver smiled and sat down.
"Although unheard of… Defendant Burke you may approach the jury."
The lawyer for the St. John's was a large beaver in a well put-together blue suit and glasses. He waddled forward and turned to the twelve ordinary citizens on the side of the courtroom.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, what we have here today is a case of vast proportions - the supposed revenge plot decades in the making. But how could this have been? That's a question I'd like to get to the bottom of. My clients would like to know too."
The crowd in the courtroom starts to erupt.
The judge's gavel fills the room with many knocks.
"Order!" she shouts.
Burke continued. "As watered down as the media is in Knothole these days can we really trust what we've heard, what we've read? My opening statement is a recurring theme among my quest for the truth in behalf of the St. John family. Who really is the victim here?"
Sally nearly leapt from her chair while Bunnie held her at bay.
"Easy Sally girl…"
"My testimony will prove to everyone that Hershey and Geoffery should be exonerated on all counts!"
The courtroom erupts again with Sally leading the charge. The judge nearly split her block with the successive gavel slams.
"Counselor Weaver, have you anything to say?"
Weaver simply leans back watching Burke with his acute eyes. "I'm going to let the facts speak for themselves."
"You expect the blind to develop eyesight also?" Burke shot back.
"Totally irrelevant." Weaver dug into his paperwork.
"Mr. Weaver would you like to call your first witness to the stand?"
"As a matter of fact I would." Weaver snapped a folder closed. "The people call her highness, Queen Sally Acorn to the stand."
The regent put her hair in order then stood gathering the attention of everyone in the room. She stepped from the crowd and into ring where the lawyers were ready to battle. Sally caught eyes with Geoffery who looked at her lustfully. Hershey simply scratched her nose with her middle finger as Sally approached the stand. She was completely calm as she seated herself.
The judge addressed her. "Your word is bond. In this courtroom, you have the power to change lives for better or for worse. Do you solemnly swear to uphold truth?"
"I do." Sally recited.
"Very well then Queen Acorn." The judge turned to Weaver. "You may begin."
Shadow and Tails wait among the retirement home complex.
Many older animals shuffled along the lobby with canes and walkers - tennis balls glide across the floor. Shadow and Tails observe the soothing scene as an older bear teaches his grandson the keys on the lobby piano. An older goose was reading to visiting children on a quest for their personal scout badges. An older rabbit holds his wife's hand as they slowly mosey down the halls.
"Is this what retirement looks like?" Shadow asked. "A waiting room for death?"
Tails shakes his head. "What is wrong with you?"
"I find places like these depressing – like a well-dressed slaughterhouse."
"These people are able to relax from the things we did." Tails folds his arms. "Without us fighting, they wouldn't be able to do just this."
"And what do you call this?"
"Living life." Tails smiled.
Shadow considered his words. "I never heard your opinion on the aftermath."
"The funeral."
Shadow shakes his head. "No. Your children."
Tails furrows his brow then looks straight on.
"I heard little detail of their heroics." Shadow turned to the fox. "What do you think of them turning into the next generation of Fr-"
"I refuse to let that happen." Tails said firmly.
Shadow wasn't surprised.
"It's one thing to go along with it when the stakes weren't high, but my wife, my friends, and my kids all suffered that day. At that age, I didn't have parents to worry for me." Tails expressed. "I'm going back on my word now because I see how it is on the outside looking in. My kids got hurt, and I'd do anything to prevent that."
Shadow completely understood. "What if I told you that if your kids fight for today, this could be you in the future?"
Tails stared at the happy faces of the retirement home and furrowed his brow.
"Hi." said an eager approaching employee. "The man you're looking for is right this way."
Tails and Shadow stood and followed the lovely lady to the rear of the first floor where many older animals were enjoying themselves poolside. They stepped to the sunbathing area and immediately noticed the figurative fish out of water. He held a large book in his hands and looked over the top to see who was blocking the shade. He tilts down his glasses to view the two figures before him.
"As I live and breathe…" he snaps his book closed. "Shadow the Hedgehog."
"Doctor…" Shadow kept it short.
Tails slaps his forehead in realization and then humbly approaches the older gentleman. "Doctor Nate Morgan! It's been a long time huh?"
Nate gathered himself and stood.
"Afternoon Shadow, Miles." Nate greeted jouyoisly.
He was an older swarthy gentleman tucked into a comfy bathrobe. He carried himself with a regal stature as his cane looked more accessory than accessibility. Tails and Shadow followed him to the bar where he paid for a bottled water.
"It's been several decades since I've been a part of a civilization." Nate began. "Especially Mobotropolis again."
"Knothole." Tails interjects.
"Nathan, my associate and I are in need of your assistance. Perhaps what you know about Chaos Energy can assist us."
"I'd like to help you guys out, I really would, but I've been banned from ever practicing science within these walls."
"Really?" Tails asked. "How long ago was this?"
"Well it was in the generation of King Maximillian Acorn, third year I believe. My license stripped and a lifetime ban was placed. Julian Kintobor had me outed for stealing designs, a crime I would never dare try."
"Robuttnik." Tails shakes his head.
"I'm sorry such research requires haste but I won't be of much help to you without my right as a scientist."
"It's for Sonic the Hedgehog." Tails stated. "He suffered pretty badly in that explosion, Doctor, we can't get him out his coma until we can find a way to heal him.
"It's true Nathan," Shadow added. "You're the only one we've thought of to help figure this out."
Nate Morgan sighs and removes his glasses.
"You know you owe us this favor Nate." Tails stepped to him. "I swear if you help me figure out a way to restore his Chaos Energy then you will be pardoned from everything."
Nate Morgan fully turned to the pair in an unsure disposition.
"I do not want to break any rules here." Nate returned his glasses to his face. "However, I do feel I owe a debt of gratitude; you for helping me from Ixis and you for saving me from myself."
Nate sighs in complete regret. "I will do what I can."
Tails' nine tails flourish in excitement as he embraces the old man. Shadow simply folds his arms then nods in approval.
"Thank you so much!" Tails exclaims. "You are the best! Can we go right now? Is that too soon?"
Nate clicks his can against the ground to settle the younger fox. "Tomorrow. We can set a time and schedule tomorrow later. As for tonight, I'm going to relax. Good day Miles, Shadow."
Tails and Shadow watch Nate Morgan walk away.
"Queen Sally, would you please regale us with the event as well as the moments leading up to it."
Sally cleared her throat. "Of course."
She hadn't realized sitting on the stand would be this nerve-racking. She had nothing but the truth to tell but still being under oath meant every single word would come under scrutiny. Sally hadn't looked forward to this moment since the St. John's called lawyer but she endured for the right thing.
Justice.
"We were in mourning, renowned knight of Knothole, Sir Charles had recently passed. Sonic and I were devastated at the loss of his Uncle. We had no clue at the time who would do such a thing to one of the most beloved people in our nation."
"What happened to Sir Charles?" Weaver interjected
Sally nearly panicked. "He was brutally murdered. From what we could gather he suffered a shot that devastated his memory banks."
"Please continue with the story."
Sally nodded. "Sonic and I awoke the day of the funeral; it was really hard for him to get out of bed that day. But lo and behold we made it to the gravesite where we were met with friends, family, and a beautiful service."
"What else happened?"
"Sonic stood to give closing words; he even chided me to take a seat as if to say he had this, like he knew he was going to save my life."
Burke coughed loudly to interrupt the show going on before him. Weaver eyed him and begged the Queen to continue.
"Sonic was in the middle of his testimony when in a flash I was grabbed, or shielded, or something. Everything just went dark and I couldn't breathe, or hear, I felt I was burning, and numb all over. I can still hear the ringing in my ears having learned exactly what happened."
"What did happen?"
"An explosion, specifically a bomb was planted underneath the casket of Sir Charles. It was designed to kill everyone at the memorial in a revenge plot against my husband and I."
"A revenge plot? How could you make an assumption that grand?"
Sally calmed herself. "When the dust cleared and everyone was being rushed to the hospital, an anonymous call said Geoffery and Hershey St. John were in custody. He broke out of the Devil's Gulag in order to exact revenge on the people who put him there."
"You mean the heinous prison where the world's deadliest criminals are kept. How did he escape?"
"Station Square sent us a distress call earlier in the week. They said there was a malfunction on their end and they could use help returning some prisoners. We, being the gracious allies, offered some our best and brightest, but we had no idea something like this would ever happen."
"Thank you Queen Sally." Weaver headed for his side of the room as Burke stood and buttoned his suit.
"First of all Queen Sally, I am honored to be in your presence and you are a wonderful, wonderful person."
"Thank you." Sally readily accepted the complement.
"Try not to feel too bad for what I'm about to do." Burke turned to Weaver. Sally wished she wasn't a sucker for this man's charm.
"Objection." Weaver called out.
"You'd better recognize where you stand counselor."
"Let's take this piece by piece shall we?"
Sally squinted her eyes, trying not be wrapped up again.
"What is life?"
Sally turned her head in confusion.
"At least your definition of it, my Queen…"
"Life is existence. Life is being born, growing, changing, and being better because of it. It's animation in the purest form."
"Do you think I or Weaver here has life?"
"Of course."
"What about this table here? Or this stack of folders? Or the very seat you rest your royal rear end on?"
"Objection: What's the point of all this?"
"I'm getting to it." Burke warned the judge who was already fed up his antics.
Sally shook her head again. "I don't follow."
"Neither do I your highness." Burke smiled. "Neither do I. You say my client murdered Sir Charles but according to your definition he was dead long before this instance."
Sally grew outraged. "You dirty no good cretin!"
"Queen Sally!" Judge admonished her.
"By all accounts our precious knight in shining armor died the second he was roboticized by the old order. His 'existence' you claim has no more bearing than a toaster."
Sally was fuming with enraged tears puddling her eyes. "You think you can just tread all over what that man's done for us?"
"Queen Sally was the mission to help Station Square something Sir Charles would have wanted? Need I remind you your bond to the oath?"
Sally wanted to rip her hair out for falling into this trap. "No, it was uh… he actually didn't want us to get involved."
"Interesting. So by that information could Knothole have saved itself the trouble and took the high ground?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you?"
Sally looked to Weaver who was rummaging through papers and nearly about to molt. Burke got in her eye-line and practically prodded her for an answer.
"Because it was the right thing to do."
"Really now." Burke flicked his whiskers. "No sense of pride on the line? No redemption of shame? I mean, why would peaceful little Knothole all these years suddenly go out of its way to help a nation that's been learning on its own for some time now?"
"These were dangerous criminals who needed to be put away. That's it."
"And where was this priority after the supposed murder of Charles?"
"He took a life!"
"My question my queen."
Sally wanted to rip this smug beaver in half. "We informed Station Square there was a casualty too large to ignore and we resigned from the search. With Sonic leading the Freedom Fighters He was in no way, shape, or form to continue."
"So these bad guys are still at large?"
"Station Square has now caught nearly eighty percent of the prisoners."
"Is this revenge plot fueled by love lost?"
"Excuse me?"
"Do you still desire to be with my client?"
Sally glanced at Geoffery who smugly glared at her while she nearly vomited.
"No! Hell no!"
"Do you think him a fool?"
"Absolutely?"
"Is he a mastermind?"
"Certainly not."
"Yet you still think he thought of this thrown-together farce you call a revenge plot?"
"Yes! He and his thing have a history. It dates back to when he tried to kill me the last time!"
"And how exactly did that go?"
"Aside from trying to steal the throne, she sabotaged my rope and left me to fall to my death."
"So rope… to convoluted funeral massacre?"
"Weeds do grow counselor."
Burke looks to the jury. "Let's talk about the funeral. A solemn event no doubt. From your testimony you could barely recall what happened to you."
"Objection." Weaver grew annoyed.
"There you are." Sally wanted to choke the guy from across the room.
"Let the record show that the witness is hostile." Burke nodded to the judge.
"Burke!" The judge stated. "Queen Sally you may step down for now."
"Your honor I was not finished." Burke stepped to her.
"You claim she's hostile, I'm cooling her down. Have a seat Sally. You can revisit her testimony at the end of your witness carousel."
The Queen eagerly returned to her chair trying to hold it together. Bunnie and Antoine grab her hands in support as she bowed to them in love and exhaustion. Cream and Amy watch from the back row with doubt on their faces.
"That didn't go well at all." Cream folds her arms.
"Yeah that was terrible. Amy agreed.
"I thought this going to be a cakewalk but now I'm not even sure."
"Me too. Although seeing Sally squirm up there really made me happy."
"You're a freak." Cream shakes her head and checks the time. "How do you think Rotor's doing?"
"Probably literally dying." Amy shakes her head.
"I guess I'll go relieve him. Keep me posted Alright."
"You know it girl, talk to you later."
Cream gets up and smoothly exits the courtroom.
"For my next witness, the people call Hershey St. John to the stand."
The crowd murmurs in response as the sexy kitten rises and adjusts her hair.
Rotor's private workshop lay dormant.
The afternoon sun was still shining brightly as a pair of silhouettes darkened his door.
Sonia, Manic, and Trace turn the handle and enter. It was a decent sized warehouse type room with dated machines and workbench in the corner. There were a few vehicles, some bazookas, and Rotor's old attire from his Freedom Fighter days. The trio locked the door and strolled past the eight chairs and chalkboard to the cubby section. They checked for onlookers when Sonia reached into the back of the cube closet and flipped around a panel. She pressed a button when the floor gently descended. The square panel only descended a few feet which led them to their true destination. They walked underneath the workshop then took a ramp down into lower Knothole.
"How do you think mom's doing at the trial?" Sonia asked.
"You know mom." Manic sighed. "She's probably got that lawyer wrapped around her finger."
"That does sound like mom."
"Hopefully we can get in some more time to train today."
"You better pray!" Trace excitedly shouted. "I plan to kick all the butts today."
They emerged into bunker style room where they immediately spotted Rotor with eyes on the many security monitors and headphones. They stepped into the bunker to see Belle and Jacques tinkering with their bracers.
"Stop, stop!" Jacques exclaimed. A quick spark burst from his gauntlet as he and Belle look on in wonder.
"Is that it!" Jacques half-smiled.
"You tell me." Belle proudly poked out her chest.
He closed up the gauntlet and attached it to his forearm. Belle placed a sensor behind his ear and stepped back.
"Try out your Neuro-Link." Belle commanded.
Jacques leaned forward and with a thought the armband gauntlet spread from forearm to covering his entire left appendage.
"Oh this is perfect." Jacques smiled.
"You're only a few steps behind, but I'll let you keep pace."
Belle started to put her gauntlet on when she spotted Sonia and Manic. They met eyes and turned away – a better sign than previous meetings. Sonia and Manic continued their tour as Trace turned to Skye and Melody.
"Hey Skye!" Trace sang his sister's name. "Melody."
"Hey Trace." The two were deadlocked in deadman's volley with a strand of lightning. They were sending pulses of electricity back and forth to each other trying to strengthen and sharpen control.
Sonia and Manic step to Lara-Su who emanates a green aura while floating in a meditative position.
"You're late." Lara didn't even turn around.
"Yeah sorry about that, we had to pick Trace up and he likes to take his jolly time." Sonia explained.
Lara ceased her aura and landed perfectly on the ground.
"Well we're wasting time." Lara began. "With the trial going on and our parents busy, today is the perfect chance to test our skills outside of Knothole."
"R-really?" Manic stepped to her. "Today? Like right now?"
"That's right. Today we have our first mission." Lara nodded.
Welcome back to Arc 2 of "Sonic 51: Genesis" everyone!
I appreciate your patience and will continue to deliver worthy pages of this story. To show your appreciation you can follow me on my pages and leave a review. For future reference, the remaining chapters of the series will be released on Tuesday's. No word for artwork yet but an announcement will be made soon.
Until next time Freedom Fighters!