The Royal Leader
Now we get to know our favourite Princess, Sally Acorn
"NICOLE, bring up the latest propaganda by Robotnik."
"Affirmative, Sally."
Sally was sitting at her desk, her handheld computer NICOLE placed before her. At Sally's request, NICOLE activated her projector to display the latest news articles and radio messages that had been set out in the wake of their mission to Westopolis 2 weeks ago.
Robotnik, as per usual, had done his utmost to paint the Freedom Fighters in a bad light, claiming they must have had something to do with the earthquake that left hundreds dead and countless buildings in ruins. He'd made similar things before; whenever the Freedom Fighters saved lives or ruined Robotnik's plans to further his rule, he always tried to gain sympathy from the Human populace by vilifying them as terrorists, whose supposed altruism was a ruse.
Given Robotnik's decrease in popularity over the years, most people didn't take his words seriously. Many of the Freedom Fighters knew this, and thought little of it. In fact, Sonic had recently taken to miming or imitating Robotnik's words, a source of great entertainment, which even Sally appreciated. She always loved his sense of humour, as it could brighten up even her saddest days.
Even so, the young Princess felt there was bound to be at least some doubt caused by Robotnik's statements among Humans and potentially the Mobian aristocrats as well; and she knew that doubt was the last thing the people needed. Sally didn't like to take chances, in times like these; she felt it was part of her responsibility as leader of the Freedom Fighters. Sally always took her responsibilities seriously, but only because she wanted nothing more than to restore peace to Mobius and return to a truly carefree lifestyle; well as carefree as it can be when you're a Princess.
Sally Alicia Acorn was born during the early days of the Great War between the Mobian High Kingdom and the Human Overland. Her parents were King Maximillian and Queen Alicia Acorn, and she'd had an elder brother named Elias. However, Sally only knew of her mother and brother through her father; Elias and Alicia had been shipped off to Downunda for safety, but the craft carrying them had disappeared without a trace, and both had since been declared legally dead.
King Max had kept his daughter safe and secure in Mobotropolis for the majority of the war. He'd been a kind and jovial father to Sally, calling her his little 'Bean', likely a reference to her ability to use her head well. When he wasn't coordinating the war effort, he would spend hours playing with his daughter in the palace gardens. It was during one of these fun times that Sally met Sonic for the first time when he and his Uncle were visiting the Castle. The two had quickly hit it off and Sonic became Sally's new playmate. Sally would forever regard that day as one of the best of her life…
Just as Sally would forever regard the day that Robotnik took over as one of the worst of her life.
The day the Great War had finally ended had been a huge relief to Sally; she'd thought all the destruction and despair was finally over and that she wouldn't have to be restricted so much. Playing in the palace had been fun, but she'd wanted to see more of the world that she would one day come to rule. Robotnik's successful coup had shattered that dream. Her father had placed a lot of trust in Julian Kintobor, and he'd seemed like a decent man when Sally had first met him, even if he hadn't been the kindest of men. But they say still waters run deep; and in Robotnik's case, they'd run very deep.
Sally lost her home and her father that day; exactly what became of him, no one really knew. Robotnik had said King Max had been banished, though he'd never said where. But this did mean he was still alive, and Sally was determined to find him. She was sure that if her father was dead, Robotnik would know; and he'd never keep that news a secret.
For the first few years, Sally and her friends had been too frightened to do anything; content to simply hide in Knothole, and hope to avoid capture. But Sonic hadn't stood for that; he'd been determined to fight Robotnik's rule in any way he could. And his example had been a source of inspiration for the residents of Knothole. Sally had wanted to live up to her heritage, and so had decided to form the Knothole Freedom Fighters at the age of 11.
Though Rosie had initially objected to this, her cousin, Julayla, had recognised Sally's potential. A veteran of the Great War, she'd taught the young Princess everything she knew about combat, strategy, operating vehicles, weaponry and leadership. Sally had studied long and hard, never letting up, regardless of whatever challenge her mentor had given her.
Julayla had essentially been the mother Sally had never had. So when Julayla was diagnosed with terminal cancer, it had been as though Sally was being drained. She would never forget that last talk they had…
Two years ago…
"You've done so well, beloved one," Julayla said hoarsely. "There is just one final test."
"W-what is it?" Sally whispered, her eyes streaming with tears.
"Do you remember when I asked you to snatch an acorn out of my hand before I could close it?" the woodchuck-cat hybrid asked.
Sally remembered only too well. The acorn Julayla had held was a ceremonial acorn; it symbolised what the Acorn family had long believed in: the ability to grow from something small into something truly remarkable. She nodded.
"Well, tis time to see how much you've learnt," Julayla said, holding out her shaking, bony hand, the acorn sitting in her palm.
Despite her tears, Sally was determined to make her mentor and mother-figure proud one more time. She thought for a moment, and then used her knee to knock the acorn into the air, where she caught it. Julayla beamed weakily.
"So simple, yet so elegant," she whispered, placing her hand on Sally's. "Such wisdom can only be acquired by oneself. You have proven yourself worthy, and I'm proud of you, Princess Sally."
"Thank you for everything," Sally sniffed, before climbing onto the bed and embracing Julayla one last time, before her mentor breathed her last.
Sally felt the acorn in her pocket; she'd always kept on her since Julayla's passing. She trusted her mentor's judgment, and that was why she always took her position as leader so seriously. And she hoped that her friends could at least see part of this as well, because she was getting a little tired of being told to loosen up. She felt they couldn't afford to loosen up too much.
"Sally, are you alright?"
Sally started a little and looked down at NICOLE
"Err, yes, NICOLE, just reminiscing, is all."
"If anything is bothering you, Sally, you can talk to me."
Sally smiled. "Thanks, NICOLE, but it's nothing you haven't heard before."
"Regardless, Sally, it is beneficial to voice your concerns to a friend."
Sally knew she was right, even if that friend was merely an AI. NICOLE meant a lot to Sally, not only because of her usefulness, but also because she reminded her of a childhood friend. That childhood friend was Nikki Ellidy, a lynx with remarkable intelligence for her age but a weakened immune system. Her father, Doctor Ulysses Ellidy, had been one of the top scientists in the Ministry of Science alongside Sonic's Uncle Chuck. He had built this handheld computer in memory of his daughter following her untimely death and bestowed to Sally. After that, he'd withdrawn from Knothole, and they hadn't heard from him since.
Sometimes, when Sally spoke to NICOLE, she would imagine Nikki was still with her; her black hair tied into two pigtails, and her green eyes sparkling with her signature intellect, using advanced vocabulary for her age, and occasionally pausing to use her inhaler. Sally never told anyone this, of course; not even NICOLE herself. Still, to her, it was Sally's way of keeping Nikki alive, just as heeding Julayla's advice was her way of keeping her mentor alive.
"Maybe later, NICOLE. Right now, we have propaganda to process. Send a message to the other Freedom Fighters, so we can begin."
"Affirmative, Sally."