Council Chamber, Kingdom of Acorn
In a way, Sally was pleased that Eggman might be coming back. After rebuilding her kingdom, a new system was put in place where she and several other officials led equally. At first it seemed a fascinating challenge, but now every day felt almost circular.
"There are mass-produced Badnik designs sporting Eggman's insignia leading attacks across the continent!" Sally proclaimed in the Council Chamber. "If this isn't signaling the return of Eggman, what else could it be?"
"Many warlords have used Badniks to enforce their power," rebutted Dravar Goss, a leopard from Issarkei. "Just because these don't have their logos covered up doesn't mean they are any more dangerous than the rest."
"Besides, who says these robots work for Eggman?" put in Roland Hart, a jackal from Currek.
"A month ago, Sonic met a robot who explicitly said it worked for Eggman," explained Sally. "Surely that's enough to convince you."
"Really? Sonic the hedgehog?" sniffed Dravar. "You take the word of some unaccountable vigilante? Even if I did have reason to believe you, neither Sonic nor you have tangible evidence. I'll take my proof from hard fact, not a relic from the past."
"That 'relic' has more of a backbone than you ever will!" That voice belonged to Regal, a rabbit from Murran Island, who had led her own resistance against Eggman in the past. "Didn't your previous government surrender the moment Eggman's robots crossed your borders?"
"That's enough out of both of you," cut in Roland, rubbing his eyes. "It's clear we'll never reach a consensus, so why don't we just adjourn the meeting?"
The other councilors voiced their agreements, departing the chamber for home. As the chipmunk paced the corridor, she wished that Nicole were there. She would have presented the council with compelling, airtight evidence that would convince even snooty Goss. Outside, her car was waiting, chauffeur Parkley dutifully waiting to open the door as usual. With Nicole away and Sonic having his own adventures, the old dog kept her upbeat when the weight of politics weighed on her shoulders.
"'ow was the meeting tonight, milady?" he asked, having arrived after the meeting had ended. His uncouth speech patterns were a very welcome change.
"Slow and circular," was Sally's blunt reply, giving him a nod as he held the door open. "Take me home, if you don't mind."
"That's what I'm 'ere for," the chauffeur responded, getting in the driver's seat and taking the car away.
The interior was empty as they drove along, Sally trying to call one of her friends, but not getting a response. Buildings passed by as they got further from the Capitol and closer to the palace, the chipmunk occasionally seeing bright shines as they passed street lights. Then, as they stopped at a red light, she spotted from atop from atop a building; it was different from the others, seeming to come from a silhouette rather than a street light.
"Strange," she remarked, hand slowly reaching for a toggle on the armrest.
"Something h'up back there?"
"Yes, there's something out there-"
She was cut off as the window shattered, a scorch mark appearing on the seat next to her. The chipmunk flipped the switch, stronger panes appearing over the windows. The scorch mark undoubtedly came from a laser blast, meaning some type of robot was firing on the vehicle.
"Parkley, we need a fast getaway!"
"H'engaging boosters, milady!"
Two giant rockets emerged from the trunk of the car, rocketing the car away. As Sally looked back, her suspicions were confirmed, spotting a very lanky figure jetpacking after the car.
"Parkley, it's following us…"
"Driving h'as fast h'as I can. Cor, these cars are moving like h'inebriated tortoises."
The chipmunk took a breath, checking to see if her rings were still attached. They were, so she glanced back just as their assailant leaped on top of the vehicle. With no other options, Sally opened up her door, carefully climbing out and onto the roof. Sure enough, the one attacking them was a robot, who fired a shot at Sally's shoulder. Sally grit her teeth, a hand reaching up to clutch the wound, before ducking back as the assailant dived at her.
Sally noticed out of the corner of her eye that they were passing by a brick retaining wall, and an idea came to her. Briefly ignoring the pain in her shoulder, she grabbed the robot's head and held it against the wall. The attempted assassin-bot tried to get free, but at the speeds they were going its head was quickly torn to pieces.
She was almost pulled off the roof when Parkley disabled the thrusters, but was able to climb into the backseat safely. "Situation taken care of, Parkley," she told her chauffeur.
"'Appy to 'ear that, milady," the dog smiled.
Acorn Palace
Inside her room, Sally had her wounded shoulder tended to, while she spoke with Sonic over the phone.
"Try and keep this on the downlow, alright?" she asked. "Gaia knows that if Nicole hears about this, she'll flip."
"Yeah, sure thing," replied Sonic, and she could hear the mischievous look on his face as he said "Quite the gentlelady, wanting to spare her feelings, Sal. Get better soon."
The chipmunk rolled her eyes as the phone hung up, just as the doctor finished treating the wound. "Okay, Your Highness, just leave that to heal for a few days, and it should get better on its own," she said, standing up and leaving.
Sally lay down on the bed, looking down at her bandaged shoulder. She'd probably call G.U.N. and ask them to provide some additional security, but before she could make the call, her phone rang again. This time it was from Tails.
Answering the phone, she held it up to her ear this time. "Hi, Ta-"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE ALMOST ASSASSINATED?!" shrieked Nicole, the chipmunk wincing as she pulled the phone away. "I only found out because Sonic told Tails about it, why didn't you tell me?"
"That's why," groaned Sally. "Nicole, I can handle myself just fine. It's not the first time I've been threatened when you aren't around."
"That doesn't make it any easier, Sally. I'm coming over there-"
"No, you need to stay there and help make that portal. I'll call for additional security, and we'll catch whoever it is that wants me dead."
"Okay," said the holo-lynx, although her voice still shook with worry. "But if you're in trouble again, you better call."
There was some shuffling, and Tails' voice came next. "Get better soon, Sally!"
Sally smiled and thanked him, before hanging up.
The next day
Sally had made the call, and was told that G.U.N. would send a security agent her way by tomorrow afternoon. It was tomorrow afternoon, and the chipmunk still had yet to see this agent.
"Why hello, princess." The chipmunk sighed as she heard the voice behind her, turning as Rouge the bat strutted over, taking one of Sally's hands and kissing it. "It's an honor to help keep you safe."
"Charmed," said Sally, significantly uncharmed. "I was expecting Shadow or Omega."
"If our assassin friends are robots, Omega would tear this place down shooting at them, and destroy any fine gems in the crossfire," explained Rouge, the chipmunk unimpressed at that last comment. "Shadow wanted to come, but he couldn't find a babysitter."
That confused Sally. "What do you mean, babysitter? Is Shadow a father?"
"In a way," responded the bat, shrugging. "He didn't have it with me, if that's what you're thinking. Having… you-know-what just isn't my thing. Besides, we're only friends."
"Really? But you're so close-"
"Our bond is strong, but it's not romantic love." They walked along, the chipmunk slightly surprised when Rouge asked, "What about you? I know someone wants your head, but is anyone after your heart?"
The chipmunk shook her head. "No, I don't think so," she replied, wishing Rouge would ask her about the security instead.
"Come on, you're a beautiful woman, probably. I bet some lucky person would love to be yours. What about what's-her-name, Nikki or something?"
"Nicole?" corrected the chipmunk, face slightly flush. "No, I don't think so. Look, why don't we talk about security, the thing you're here for?"
And just like that, the conversation about crushes was quickly forgotten, the bat and chipmunk going over the best spots for security.
Unknown Area
A hooded figure stood before a projector, the image of Levi staring down at them.
"Your assassin bot failed. What you need to do is capture her alive with the rest of the council."
"If you weren't so insistent on riling up miss Acorn, she'd already be dead. You know who I work for, and how little he tolerates failure."
"This failure isn't mine! I'll show that rotund cretin how effective we Mobians are compared to his machines," the figure responded. "Let me capture her alive, then Eggman can snuff her out himself."
"Hmm… Very well. Eggman shall have his prisoner, and in return, the Four Territories are yours to control."
The figure bowed. "It is an honor to serve," he stated, right before the hologram fizzled out.
This is where I really put the "fan" in "fanfiction." Lotta political intrigue, no prize if you can guess who's behind it.
Fun fact: The character of Parkley is inspired by the Thunderbirds character Parker, down to his speech patterns. Just seemed like a fun thing to include.
As always, feel free to share your thoughts, and I'll see you in the next chapter.