Chapter 20: Plan of Attack
Location: Eredas Estate
The next morning...
Unable to get to sleep, Sally emerged from the room that had been provided to him and stepped out into the hallway. The revelation that Dr. Eggman's abuse of the fabric of reality had weighed heavily on her mind, so much so that it had prevented her from getting sleep. The sprawling estate was far from quiet, she could make out noise, and could smell food being prepared. Heading in the direction of the living room, Sally found her companions seated out on the patio for breakfast. It was immediately clear that only the five of them that where present, with no sign of the estate's other residents.
"Mornin', Sally-Girl. Sleep well?" Bunnie asked.
"No. I've...had a lot on my mind," Sally admitted, taking a seat next to her.
"I'm not surprised," Tails commented, "I don't think any of us got a decent night's rest."
"You were up half the night working on your machine," Sticks stated.
"I just wanted to get the repairs done on the X-Tornado," Tails commented, eager to get back to Central City.
"Did you have a chance to speak with Sonic?" Chris asked.
"Yes. He was a little miffed about not being brought along," Sally replied.
"Well it's not like Sugar-Hog readily made himself available."
"That's what I told him."
Korianda stepped out onto the patio, followed by an older woman with shoulder-length black hair with red streaks. She was effortlessly carrying a tray in one hand, one that had been laden with an assortment of breakfast items with enough verity to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
"That's an awful lot of food," Sally stated, "Aren't you afraid that it'll all go to waste?"
"We Saiyans have a ravenous appetite," Korianda explained, "Believe me when I say that it won't be going to waste."
"You should see the food bill," the woman sighed.
"It's not like we can't afford it, Adria," Tarro stated, stepping out onto the patio, Sly at his heels.
The boy quickly overtook the young Saiyan and raced over to the table, eager to partake in whatever breakfast items caught his fancy.
"Which begs the question: how?" Sally asked.
"How what?" he questioned, taking a seat and pulling the Dovahkiir child into his lap.
"How can you afford all of this?"
"Given how he can retain a penthouse suite on a month-to-month basis, I'm sure he has access to money," Tails chimed in.
"My father's the King of Sadala, so yes, I've got access to plenty of money," he explained, "This island was actually owned by some eccentric billionaire who spent his final decades living as a recluse. When he died it was auctioned off as part of an estate sale and I purchased it and the island for three times the asking price."
"Why three times?" Tails questioned.
"It was the only way to ensure that a development company belonging to one of the Old Families didn't turn the island into a luxury resort," Tarro replied.
"I see," Sally said.
"I've also come into ownership of a casino."
"Of course you did," grumbled the fox.
"Mornin'," a groggy voice greeted.
Those gathered at the table turned and found Inari standing at the patio doors, bleary eyed and clad in a white T-shirt in addition to his fundoshi.
"Morning Inari," Korianda greeted.
The boy made no reply as he approached the table, his bare feet slapping audibly against the inter-locking bricks.
"Where's Bajiru?" he asked.
"Your brother headed down to Adlewyrchu's Rest," Korianda answered.
"Speaking of missing people; where's Gherk?" Tarro inquired.
"Your brother headed to the Adriana to train in the gravity chamber."
"Wait! You mean you two aren't related?" Sally questioned, noticing the words she had used.
"I'm his fiancée," she interrupted.
"WHAT!?" the group cried out in response.
"What!? But you're like seven," Sally stated, looking directly at Tarro.
"I'm ten...well almost ten, nine and a half," he rambled, "Look, it's an arranged marriage and she's only here because Sadala is politically unstable at the moment and no one wants the heir to die."
"Well...there probably are people out there that would," Korianda commented.
"If you want to get back to Central City at a decent time then you'd better eat up," the boy suggested, wishing to put an end to the conversation.
Location: Eredas Estate
Forty minutes later...
Sally stood outside the estate's Engineering Bay, watching as the X-Cyclone marched through the open doors. The twin-tailed fox was seated behind the controls, as was usual, while Chris was seated directly behind him. Bunnie had wondered off in search of Sticks, but had yet to return with the badger in tow.
Sal," a voice said, prompting her to turn around.
Tarro was standing behind her, but without the Dovahkiir child that seemed to constantly hid within his shadow. The young Saiyan was still in his bedclothes, having not bothered with getting dressed.
"I was starting to wonder where you wandered off to," Sally said.
"I had things I needed to attend to," the boy admitted.
"I see...There's been something I've been meaning to ask you, but you've either made yourself scarce or Sly's been present."
"He's my adoptive brother," he explained, "I found him abandoned in the jungle of my island as a newborn."
"Does it have anything to do with his white hair? Cause that druid we met seemed to be the only other person with different coloured hair," Sally stated.
"Uncle Ghrian developed silver hair after bonding with the World Tree," Tarro said, "White hair is generally viewed poorly by the Dovahkiir since it doesn't blend in well."
"So they just got rid of him?"
"The Dovahkiir survived against the predators of Suvulaan because they practiced a form of eugenics; weeding out the weak and sickly."
"That's...disturbing," the Princess muttered.
"It's the exact same thing the Spartans did and Sparta was known throughout Greece as having one of the most feared military forces."
"I don't understand what you're talking about, but I'll take your word for it."
"Sly was ill when I found him, while Uncle Ghrian would've been drowned had he been a member of any other clan. His father being chieftain was definitely a factor that saved his life."
"Why is that?" Sally questioned.
"Uncle was born blind, only by bonding with the World Tree did he gain his eyesight."
"Ah can't find Sticks anywhere," Bunnie stated, approaching the pair.
"Great. Where could she have wondered off to," Sally sighed.
"It's a big island," Tarro admitted, "Shard."
"I'll find her," the rogue Metal Sonic declared.
The robot, having been standing at the entrance of the Engineering Bay, quickly vacated the area in search of the wayward badger.
"With any luck she'll be having an argument with a racist sunflower or something," Bunnie stated.
"If only we were that lucky," sighed the Princess.
"You need to be very careful, Sal," he warned.
"I'll be alright, Tarro," Sally said.
"That's not what I mean," the boy said, "My memories might be messed up, but I know something bad is about to happen. If I get any new information I'll pass it along."
"Thanks," she replied, as she and Bunnie headed for the X-Cyclone.
Shard returned by the time Sally had climbed into the passenger seat of the aircraft, carrying an unwilling Sticks with him. She had been ranting and raving the entire way, that was until she was deposited next to the X-Cyclone and urged to climb aboard. Once the badger was seated behind Sally, Tails hit the thrusters and it lifted off the ground before transforming itself into its X-Tornado mode and flew off in the direction of the mainland, with Bunnie flying after them.
"Good luck Sal, you're gonna need it," Tarro said.