The volleyball soared through the air. Knuckles moved and returned it over the net, all while Sticks crouched, ready for a return spike.
Amy leapt on her side, and smacked the ball upwards. Sticks and Knuckles watched the ball fly up…into Tail's fist, going over the badger and echidna's head, under the porch of his own house.
"Point to Amy and Tails!" Sonic called, racing back and forth to give the two a high-five before appearing in front of Sticks, "Go on, you know the rules."
Sticks grumbled, "Flying is cheating! You all were planning to pull one over-"
Sonic, not looking even remotely fazed, asked, "Do you want to wait for knucklehead over there to find the ball or do you want to finish the game?"
Knuckles chuckled, "He called you 'knucklehead' Tails."
Tails scowled, before shaking his head.
Sticks saw that Sonic did indeed have a point. Knuckles would lose the ball in his own hand.
Sticks growled, "Keep an eye out for government agents." She trudged over to the workshop that Sonic and Tails spent most of their afternoons in.
Carefully crawling under the wooden porch, she fumbled around through the dimly lit cavern. Stick looked over at the corners where the ball might have stopped. Nothing.
She crawled further in, swatting a spiderweb as she approached the indent where Knuckles seemed to have dug a hole for himself, and slept. There it was, dirty and filthy, but the ball was there, where Knuckles's head would be.
The badger grabbed the ball, and put it in her arm. She was about to back up when she noticed an odd shape in the dirt. It was... rectangular. She ran her left hand, the empty one, over the rectangular dirt.
Was it an alien monolith? A devil worshiper shrine? One of the so called "non-existent' Meh-Burger wonder-burgers?
The texture was wooden. A box. Sticks carefully opened the wooden box and saw a small, velvet covered book. Since when did Knuckles know how to read. What other secrets was he keeping?
Sticks opened the book, and read within her head( despite missing the aluminum anti-mind reader hat).
It was dated three years, five months ago.
This Journal will be my only escape and means of maintaining sanity. Tomorrow I die, and must be transformed into a completely different person. I am the only echidna capable and willing and to carry out this task.
His majesty will know me as "Knuckles the Echidna." So, I must become the one he believes if our plan is to hold any merit for any length of time.
I am afraid I will fail her, whom he had under my protection. The one who will be referred to as Tails will be assigned with me, as we are to be faithful and hopeful under his leadership. Perhap-
Stick's thoughts were cut short as Sonic called out, "Hey Sticks, did you fall asleep, come on!"
She called out, "I found something interesting in here!"
Tails called out, "Come on Sticks, we don't have time for this!" He sounded really impatient.
Sticks crawled out, the ball in hand. If this guy was impersonating Knuckles, then he might try to hurt the team. He seemed especially interested in Sonic. She needed to take him out before anyone got abducted, or killed.
Sticks rolled the ball out, and grabbed her bamboo staff. Sticks emerged from porch huffing, her fur sticking out in a badger, defensive stance.
Everyone seemed to notice, and Amy nervously asked, "Sticks, are you alri-"
Sticks slammed her staff into Knuckles's neck, pressing down on the trachea, "Who are you?" She shouted, as Knuckles gurgled on saliva and his own tongue.
"Sticks calm down!" Tails, if that was his real name, cried out.
Amy stepped in, "You're hurting him!"
Sticks felt an impact on her side, and Sonic held her arms to her back, allowing Knuckles to get up, nursing his neck.
Sonic was about to cough, but realized that it might not be a good time to do so, and instead, cleared his throat, "I think we've had enough volleyball for the day."
"Knuckles" whined, "Sticks, that wasn't very nice of you. If you want to wrestle, you have to tell me first."
Sticks growled lunging forward, only to be held back by Sonic, who was surprisingly strong considering his lanky body, "I don't know who you are, but you won't hurt my friends."
Knuckles frowned, "Who am I?"
Amy stepped forward, "I think it might be time for bed everyone. Sticks, go home."
Sticks frantically turned around, "He's not Knuckles, you gotta believe me."
Tails stepped between the echidna and badger, "Sticks, go home."
She turned to Sonic, the only one who would listen to her theories, or understand the dangers of government surveillance. The only one who believed in her, "You gotta understand, he's-"
Sonic held up his hands defensively, "I don't think we are allowed to kill each other, go home and read a conspiracy novel or whatever."
Sticks looked to Amy, then to Sonic, then to Tails, before trudging off, in to the forest with the later-day sun still in the sky.
She arrived at her burrow, and closed the door. Well, slammed the door, and carefully checked for intruders. She then checked the Aluminum shields around her burrow to make sure aliens weren't spying on her.
Finally, Sticks rolled out a large bamboo board and pined a red quill to it with a rose thorn. "Knuckles" She said. Sticks was going to get to the bottom of this.
/*-*/
The bamboo board was flung on the floor. Wooden objects accompanied it. What did Sticks know about Knuckles? He was an idiot, that was it, and even then, Sticks had reasonable doubt that he was faking it.
The moon lit up her face through the window.
The badger rubbed her forehead. She knew Knuckles lived under Tails's porch. Wait… Did Tails know about Knuckles. Were they in cahoots?
A shadow appeared in her window, blocking the light. Sticks grabbed her bamboo staff, and slipped a wood shiv into her fur. She grabbed the crossbow she kept behind her couch and aimed it at the window.
To her surprise, all she head was a gentle knock.
Sticks felt her guard lower in confusion, before mentally scolding her self. How the vampires haven't gotten her yet was a mystery.
Another knocked followed by, "Sticks, we need to talk."
That voice…it was Knuckles, but…some how serious.
Sticks crept towards the door and opened it, "Give me one reason why I shouldn't save Sonic and the team by shooting you now?"
Knuckles stood in the doorway, his arms behind his back in an attentive stance, "Because you want answers."
He read minds, that wasn't good. Sticks scowled at him, "Alright, talk."
Knuckles smiled a reserved, clever smirk, "let's go for a walk."
They began to trudge across the beach…for about five steps before Sticks grumbled, "Now start talking!"
Knuckles raised his hand, "I had a further walk in mind-"
Sticks growled, "So you can drown me?"
Knuckles slowly nodded in realization, "Right, you are paranoid. Very well, ask your questions while we walk."
Sticks eyed him carefully, before asking, "Who are you?"
Knuckles turned around, and Sticks walked along side him, with her closer to the inside of the island, "My name is not 'Knuckles the Echidna', it is actually Richard Wellington. I was assigned the name for my last mission."
Sticks listened carefully, "So why are you called 'Knuckles'?"
Richard cleared his throat, "It is my assigned role, along with a complete impersonation of the one known as 'Knuckles the Echidna'."
Stick examined him carefully. She didn't like the idea of "impersonation". People tended to not have good intentions when they impersonated someone else. "Who do you work for?"
Richard chuckled, "Ah yes, I suppose that is the question that would be the most important. I suppose you could say I work for myself now. That being said, I am doing my last assigned job, and will continue doing it until it is complete."
Sticks growled, hating how roundabout he was being, "Who hired you?"
Richard blinked, that stupid smug grin still on his face, "Who paid my bills and signed my contract?"
Sticks raised her voice, "YES!"
Richard stopped smiling, and pressed a finger to his lips, "Hush."
Sticks stared down, "Answer the question."
Richard took a breath, "If you must know, my employer is the Royal Consort, Sonic the Hedgehog."
Stick jumped up, "Ah ha, I knew- wait, what?"
Richard smiled, "Story time. You see, about six years ago, a young, vigorous hedgehog married a smart, strong chipmunk who also happened to be a princess. The two were happily married, and before long, a tiny little chipmunk princess was born. Enter the need for a body guard."
Sticks carefully took in what she had heard, "You mean Sonic is married? He's a king? He hired you-"
Richard growled, "Quiet! He was married, and not a king. He did not assume the throne, nor was he of royal blood. His brother-in-law was king. I was not his first choice for the protector of his family. That honor would go to Knuckles the Echidna. But Knuckles had obligations on Angel Island."
The air began to hum.
Suddenly Richard laughed a stupid giggle, "Ha-ha soil."
Sticks was confused until a blue flash crossed her eyes and Sonic appeared in front of them, "Hey guys…kind of late for walk on beach, wouldn't you say?"
Richard looked shocked, "I was just telling Socks a secret. Socks, don't tell anyone, ok."
Sticks looked back and forth, completely bewildered by what just happened.
Sonic shook his head, "I don't have time for your, 'I own magic immortality seeds' crud. It's late go to bed."
"Knuckles" nodded, "See you tomorrow Socks."
"And Knuckles, her name for the third time in two months, her name is Sticks." Sonic said, before zooming off.
Richard pressed a finger to his lips before casually walking away. What had Sticks uncovered? Whatever it was she was going to get to the bottom of this.
/*-*/
The Sun was high, and Sticks rest level was not. She couldn't sleep. All she knew was that the notebook mentioned Tails as an ally of Richard's. She needed to warn Sonic, as Tails had the most opportunities to hurt him.
The small, brainwashed part of her head asked If he wanted to hurt Sonic, why didn't he do so already.
To which Sticks came up with the counter argument, because he was waiting for the right time.
She opened the door to her burrow, and began the trudge toward Tails' workshop. She had time to muse on how she would interrogate…. question Tails. Should she start off with a blatant callout of his lies? She liked that idea. But was he prepared for that? Maybe she should be coy, hinting at her knowledge of "Knuckles" until the fox cracked.
A blatant approach wouldn't leave him any opportunities to deflect the situation, but if he called her crazy…well Sonic would send her off again and she would be the bad guy. On the other hand, if Stick tried to hint at what she knew, he could simply dodge the subject forever, and then she wouldn't get anywhere.
A switch flipped in Sticks' head. What if he had agents, or assassins. What if she knew too much? Was she putting Sonic at risk? Or Amy? Sticks felt her fur rise defensively, and she sniffed the air for foreign scents.
Her nose twitched twice…nothing. What if Knuckles tried to knock her out or attack her while she was talking? What if he was the one who stole her peanut-butter and replaced it with an empty jar?
She had high doubts about that last one, that was probably the old possum lady.
Come to think of it, how was peanut butter made? Did they just mash peanuts in a jar? And Who was they? A government agenc-
Sticks felts a sharp impact in her left foot, and Sticks(after yelping louder than she would like to admit) looked down to see wooden stairs, and the porch she had crawled under yesterday.
The air suddenly vibrated. Stick clutched her foot, as the sound reached her ears "Hey Sticks, if you want to practice kicking, do it on a tree." Sonic's voice was unsettling to her. Should she tell him, or find out the full story.
Sonic rolled his eyes at her speechless state, "Look come in and prop your foot up, or go home. Just stop standing there looking like Knuckles."
Sticks rushed up the stairs as Sonic zoomed inside ,"Wait!"
She ran around to the garage where Tails was working, fiddling with a screwdriver on a large piece of circuitry. Sonic was reclining against the wall next to Tail's computer. The fox was in his chair typing away, "-if this works, we'll have our own Eggman-detection device."
Sonic rolled his eyes and reached in his bag of quips, "Do we really need an 'Eggman-detection device'? He makes it pretty clear when he's up to something."
The Fox spun around slowly, "Yeah, but he usually gets his stuff set up before we can respond. With this we can get to his machines before there's an island destroying catastrophe."
Sonic shrugged, " I still think I'm faster than your machines. Oh, hey Sticks, why are you here exactly?"
Sticks was lost in thought about the machine Tails was making. She shook her head, "What?"
Sonic cleared his throat, "Well, you never really come by here unless it's a group thing, like volley ball or soccer."
Stick checked her head quickly. What did she choose? A direct approach, that sounded pretty good right now, "WHO ARE YOU!" She shouted, pointing at Tails.
Sonic got up, and moved between the two. Couldn't he understand the danger he was in? The hedgehog raised his hands, " Come on Sticks, I thought we cleared this up yesterday."
Sticks shook her head, "He's not Tails, and Knuckles isn't Knuckles. Or he is but he isn't."
Tails spoke up, "Hey Sonic, since we are going to be here for a while, can you go get me a nine-megavolt battery to power the prototype."
"Do you have any on the shelf?" Sonic asked, carefully walking towards the piece of furniture, all while keeping Sticks at bay.
Tails suddenly slapped his forehead, "Crud, I think I used the last one on the Tornado stabilizer. You need to go to the department store."
Sonic turned around, "Are you sure? Are you going to be okay?"
Tails smiled smugly, "Come on, we've dealt with worse than Sticks. Don't you trust me?"
Sonic smiled and shrugged, "Yeah, I guess you can take care of yourself." With that, he zoomed out the door, leaving vibrations in the air.
Sticks pulled out her staff, and pointed it at Tails, "Alright, who are you. Answer me."
Tails blinked, "I'm Tai-" he turned back around to work on the computer.
Sticks growled, "I know you're not Tails, just like I know Knuckles is actually some bodyguard."
Tails stopped, " What did you say?"
Sticks continued, "I saw the Journal, you two are working together."
Tails growled, muttering, "That idiot kept a journal?"
Stick seized the opportunity, "So do you know something. Who are you, final warning."
Tails sighed, before wheeling around his chair, "My name is Miles Prower, my friends call my 'Tails'. Well, one friend called me that, Sonic. I knew him since I was a baby. I was abandoned for my 'adorable personalities', but his family took me in."
Stick shook her head, "Ado-"
Tails gestured to his appendages, "I'm a freak. My family didn't want me, but Sonic stood by me. Then I stood by him, helping him fight Eggman and save Mobius."
Sticks' anger stopped, he was being truthful, and it was hard to not feel sorry for him, "What happened?"
Tail eyed her cautiously, "You can't tell Sonic, not yet, not until you have the full story."
Sticks felt her anger and suspicion return, "depends on what I hear."
Tails nodded, closing his eyes, "We fought Eggman for a long, long time. Sonic got married, with a kid on the way, and I was his best-man. That's when I told him I was done."
Sticks blinked, "How old are you?"
Tails smiled "Fourteen. I was fighting Eggman from two years old until I was 9."
Sticks nodded.
Tails continued, "He did the most painful thing he could have done. He said 'that's great buddy, I hope you'll be happy.' Maybe if he'd pushed, I would have stayed with him, or at least not felt so guilty."
Sticks leaned in, "About?"
Tails took a deep breath, " Sonic got married, two months later, his kid was born. A month later, Knuckles showed up and asked the Kingdom of Acorn for help. Eggman had conquered most of the island with a badnik horde, and the citizens were in trouble. So Sonic was sent, with a legion from the kingdom. I wasn't in it. I actually got a job working with Sonic's uncle. He promised to write to me while he was away. Every month I got a letter. I promised to write back. I never did. I almost never read the letters he wrote. I really should have."
Tails walked past Sticks and pulled the doormat away from the door frame. There was a hatch. He opened it and pulled out a small box, handing it to Sticks, "Call me a hypocrite, but I couldn't get rid of them."
He continued with a sad smile, pulling the doormat back over the compartment, "I actually got several grants, and began working on crazy inventions. My mom was on the Council of Acorn, and was pretty blown away by my work. I guess being smart completely offset me being a freak of nature. So I designed tons of cool thing for the-"
The air began to vibrate and Tails got quiet. Sonic re-appeared in the room, "hey buddy, they didn't have nine-mega-volt batteries. He showed me the whole back room and everything. Took nine minutes off my life for nothing."
Tails shrugged, "Yeah, I guess it must be a pretty common item."
Sonic noticed the wooden boxed in Sticks' hand, "hey what do you got there?" He was curious.
Tails spoke up, "Oh this is just a cool rock that looks like a bear I found, wanna see?"
Sonic recoiled in disgust, "Uh, no thanks, sounds boring."
Tails rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah too slow for me. I got it."
Sonic turned to Sticks with an eyebrow raised, "So we're clear, you're not gonna try to kill Tails?"
Sticks blinked, before remembering how the day started, "You win this round." She made the I'm watching you gesture, before walking out off the porch, and on the road towards her house.
She passed Amy's house along the way. Maybe she could tell her? No, because if there was something that might incriminate Tails, then she would be at risk along with Sticks.
So the badger continued home.
/*-*/
She carefully checked her defense systems. No trip wires sprang, no door stops disturbed. Sticks then placed the wooden box on the table, and opened it. She carefully flipped the box onto the table, and picked up the first letter that was placed in there.
Sticks took a deep breath, pausing for a moment. She was curious, but also afraid. What would Sticks find when she peered into the written past. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. She took another breath, and let her curiosity get the better of her.
Sticks began to read.
July 17, 3314 Acorn Standard years.
To My Little Buddy Tails,
We've been smashing badnicks for a few weeks now. I've been saving all our guys. You wouldn't guess my lieutenant, you know her, I know her, even Elias knows her. Knuckles was also surprised, but she's actually been pretty calm. Man am I tired, I am so tired, my cabin boy is writing this letter to you [my name is Tod]. Did I mention I get a cabin boy? Man, it is crazy, being a General, although it is kind of hard to keep up with everything. Leading people is Sal's specialty, not mine. I honestly think I would be better doing this by myself, or with you here to help me. No Pressure, ha ha.
Your Buddy/Bro
Sonic
Sticks didn't see anything wrong with that, which was why she was going to skim the next few. Nothing but boring inside jokes. The next letter was pretty similar, although Sonic was impressed by some soldier named William, who saved him. The following letter, the same thing, only a few more soldiers being praised. The next letter however…
October 24, 3314 Acorn Standard years.
To My Little Buddy Tails,
Something has been going on at home. Our Supplies were short, Amy tells me by about three fourths of a chilidog as opposed to whole sausage, or something like that. We are missing food and medicine. Lieutenant Rose tells me that it won't actually be much of a problem, we will just have to be less picky about our meals, but she sounded concerns and told me to ask you to check with your mom. Hey, speaking of which, have you been writing back? I haven't got any letters from you. I'm sure they're just getting lost, but maybe take them to the post office personally? I wouldn't mind hearing from you.
Your Brother,
Sonic
Sticks put the letter was involved, and a Lieutenant? Food Shortages. Sticks picked up the next letter. More food was missing. The next letter, again more food. The one after that, half of the food they were promised, and only a two-thirds of the money for wages. Sticks could feel the desperation in each letter. She opened the next piece of paper, and read it.
May 13, 3315
To My Buddy Tails,
I don't think I was ever cut out for leading a campaign. We pushed Eggman back. Amy tells me we have half the island. Dark and Broody is still being pessimistic towards the campaign. I have something to confess.
There were multiple erasing marks, with I ordered, We ordered and We were forced all being faded for the answer that written.
An order was given to help with our food situation. We couldn't fight starving to death, so we found a small village. They had grain and meat, so I offered them citizen ship if they would leave and go to the Kingdom. The villagers refused, so our brigade took what we needed by force. I am ashamed that I actually thought we could do this and still be the good guys. I am returning to the kingdom to find out what is going with our money. I've had to pay our guys out of pocket. Now I'll have to ask Elias for a loan if things keep up.
Write Back Soon,
Sonic.
Sticks heard stories of hell, but this was a first hand account. Why were they fighting so hard. She reached over, and felt a firm bottom. Sticks looked over to see the last letter sitting there, taunting her. How was this story going to end?
Sticks opened the piece of history, and noticed how the paper was warped, as though it were wet and erased multiple times.
December 20, 3316
To Miles Prower,
I know I haven't written in a while, and you probably won't even write back after our last argument. I don't care if you do or don't, but I felt compelled thanks to recent circumstances to write. Our campaign has been rough, but successful. Amy has been an amazing help. Not that you care anymore. Knuckles didn't make it. There was a rock slide on our way to Eggman's camp, and Knuckles redirected it. If we hadn't gotten supplies from that village he might be alive. Shadow doesn't believe it's my fault. He says it is just the fortunes of war. Like hell. I wrote this to let you know firsthand.
Your Gracious Protector,
Sonic.
Sticks reached for another letter, with that tone giving her quite the shock. The Tails and Sonic were an unbreakable bond, what happened. The next letter would tell her…. She felt the cold top of her desk. That's it!? That was the end of the story? No it couldn't be.
Sticks frantically thought of a way to get the full story. She could interrogate Eggman. She liked that idea…but if he was armed, he might over power her. Best to ask one of…Amy.
Sticks felt her stomach rumble. She walked into the drying room and pulled out a slab of dried meat. It was night out, but she couldn't sleep in this state. She needed answers.
After the meat was down, Sticks grabbed went to the river and dunked her head underwater, drinking as much as she could before raising her head to take a breath.
She then trudged off to Amy's house, wanting to finish this story.
/*-*/
When Stick felt Amy's welcome mat, she found herself questioning the proper way to handle the situation. The lights were off, meaning Amy was probably asleep.
A small voice in Sticks' head spoke up maybe you should be too.
Sticks could be direct, or maybe try to be sly. She could try to coax Amy into telling her everything Sticks needed to know. Sticks groaned, she was too tired. She knocked on the door. A minute passed, no answer. Why was she sitting on a doorma-
Sticks stopped, and realized something. She stepped off the doormat and pulled it to find… an wooden floor and a key. That was pointles-. Sticks shook her head, she really was tired. It technically wasn't breaking and entering if she used the key…right?
Sticks opened the door and heard a light humming from a nearby room. She crept around, looking for anything that might hide a letter or information. Like a diary…
Sticks saw the book under the couch cushion. She walked over and pulled out the thin book with a pink dandelion on it. Sticks turned on the lamp and opened the book to the first page.
Chocolate Chunk Cookies
2c All purpose flour.
3T Suger
2t salt
"Wait a second." Sticks said aloud. This was a recipe.
Sticks flipped to the next page,
Hazel Macaroons
Stick began flipping through the pages. Cookies, cakes, brownies, this was a desert cook book.
Suddenly a floor creaked and Amy's voice spoke from behind the badger, "You better have a good reason for breaking into my house."
"Wait! Amy it's me!" Sticks said jumping up and turning around. The Pink hedgehog was in a light pink night gown, with her trusty Piko-Piko hammer over her shoulder, ready to make a Sticks-pancake.
Amy squinted to register who was talking to her, "Sticks? Why are you in my house? Why are you looking at…."
The Hedgehog's face darkened, "What did you see?"
Sticks held up the book, "Oh it's just a recipe book."
Amy's grip tightened, "If you tell anyone about this…"
Sticks shrugged, "Hey nothing wrong with getting a little help." In reality, Sticks was trying not to get smashed into a grease stain.
Amy rubbed er forehead, "Why are you here?"
Sticks blinked, remembering everything she had come to ask, "How did it end?"
Amy sighed, "Sticks, you'll clarify what it is. Yes, her boyfriend was the killer, you were right."
Sticks shook her head, "No, and spoilers, I know about you. I know about you and Sonic, and Angel Island or whatever it's called."
Amy did something very unlady like. She licked her index fingers and stuck them in her ears, twisting them. She then pulled them out, walked over to the sink, and began to wash them off. When she turned the water off, Amy spoke, "Repeat that?"
Sticks licked her lips nervously, "I know something happened to Sonic, and you were in a war."
Amy nodded slowly, hazily, as though she was in a trance. She took a deep breath, and gripped her hammer. Was she debating on bludgeoning Sticks to death?
Amy let out the breath, and took another one. Sticks was nervous, she had her staff, but Amy's hammer was longer and heavier, meaning the staff was useless.
Finally Amy let out the second breath and asked, "What do you want to know."
Sticks cleared her throat, "Is your name really Amy?"
Amy nodded, "Yes, I am Lieutenant Amy Rose, serving under Sonic the Hedgehog."
Sticks relaxed a little, "What happened?"
Amy blinked, "About?"
Sticks growled, "Everything, what did you do? What happened to Sonic? Who all is in on this conspiracy?"
Amy closed her eyes and sighed, "As the Lieutenant, I was responsible for helping Sonic control his army. I lead a portion directly, so that he could lead the rest. At least, that was how it was supposed to go. The first landing didn't work like that."
Sticks sat attentively, and Amy made tea, "We landed, and Sonic did what he always does. He went looking for Eggman and his badnicks, leaving me to lead everyone behind him. I hadn't organized anything yet, in fact I hated leading, so it was quite the challenge. Then we got moving and had to slow down to allow the others to keep up and do a head count. But Sonic never let us down. We were ambushed, surrounded and some of us were being abducted, then Sonic showed up. The troops got to see his legendary speed up close, the way he tore through the badnicks." Amy shifted to control her excitement.
Sticks blinked, "Was he really that fast?"
Amy nodded, "He was way faster than he is today. A lot stronger too. He saved us, all with that confident, daring grin on his face." She sighed dreamily, closing her eyes as though lost in memory.
Sticks nodded, "Then what happened."
Amy smiled a very forced, obviously hiding anger, smile, "I got to organize a camp set up. Quite fun, trying to organize a couple hundred Mobians into setting up tents."
Sticks cautiously uttered the words, "IF you hated it so much, why did you stay?"
Amy's force smile turned into a sad frown, before morphing back into a sad smile. Silence hung in the air.
Sticks shifted uncomfortably. Amy took a deep breath, "Because I'm horrible."
Sticks recoiled, "You aren't terrible Amy, it doesn't matter what the fan-"
Amy raised her hand, "I wouldn't accept defeat. I wanted to win, I deserved the win."
Sticks licked her lips nervously, "What?"
Amy growled, "I lost him. I spent so long fighting for Sonic's affection, only to lose to some princess. So I was terrible. I didn't care if he was married, I didn't care if he had a family. I was going to win him over. We'd run off and be happy together, and maybe start our family."
Sticks was speechless. What do you say to that?
Amy continued, placing her palms on her forehead, "The worst part was, I knew I was wrong. I knew deep down; I was terrible for hoping to succeed. I didn't even hate Sally. She and I were friends, even after they started dating. But I still had that selfish desire in my heart."
Sticks starred at Amy, who was absolutely avoiding her eyes, "I get it…kinda. You wanted something, and you tried to get it."
Amy shook her head, closing her eyes, "I did hate Sally. I wanted to be Sonic's bride, instead I had a different kind of love. I was his Lieutenant, I sat in his tent every night while she stayed in a comfortable castle. I listened to all about his plans and joys and… fears. Sally had changed him. He was supposed to be free like the wind, not chained to any nation or kingdom. That's when I started hating her. Do you know what his greatest fear was?"
Sticks took a guess, "The government flooding the world to raise housing prices?"
Amy frowned, her voice getting low, "His greatest fear was not being fast enough to save his wife and kid. He was so determined to keep Eggman as far away from them as possible, that he couldn't and wouldn't allow the campaign to stop. We pushed forward, fighting Eggman's armies and retaking Angel Island. I was there to help out, and when the time came for us to decide, I convinced him to make the hard decisions."
Amy frowned, "Then, one day, when we were getting supplies from a village, one of Eggman's machines created rumbles. The mountainside began to shake, and rocks began to come down, and….and" Amy repeated, her voice catching.
Sticks pieced it together, "Knuckles was gone, he died saving you all."
Amy nodded, "Our knuckles isn't who-"
Sticks nodded, "I know, I found his journal."
Amy frowned, "The idiot kept a journal?"
Sticks nodded, gesturing to continue, "How does it end?"
Amy blinked, before frowning a disappointed face, "While I'm glad our war stories are you entertainment Sticks, try to understand, this is really hard for me to relive. If you want to know how it ends, two months later… Sonic leave his tent laughing. I don't know what he got in the mail, but he had a crazed look in his eye. It was…horrifying. He went straight at Eggman. There was an explosion, and … I don't know. I just know he can't remember some things."
Sticks stood there, with an anticipating look.
Amy shrugged before yawning, "That's my story. That's how it ends. Anti-climactic, I know, but I am tired. You should get some sleep too, you look like you haven't slept for a few nights."
Sticks blinked. That was it? She walked to the door, and Amy let her out. That was the end of the story? It didn't feel like the end. As Sticks walked home, there was a gnawing sensation in her bones. There was piece missing. Something didn't add up. Sonic going nuts, a lying body guard, Tails hating Sonic. Something went wrong somewhere.
She arrived at her burrow and laid her head down. She did want answers, but two days straight was a lot, even for her. Sticks' feet grew heavier with each step. When she arrived at her burrow, Sticks quickly opened the door, and trudged to her bed. The badger flopped down on her bed, with the promise that tomorrow, she would find the missing piece, and place this to rest.
/*-*/
Sticks tended to not like to sleep for long periods. Her dreams tended to stroke her worst fears, create suspicion, or just be outright weird.
This dream was all three. Sticks was standing in a room that seemed to be made of obsidian. The Black glass formed sharp crystals all around. The room was illuminated, but by what, she couldn't tell. What Sticks could tell was that there were several people, made complete blackness. No features aside from maybe ears and basic limbs could be made out, and they seemed to be surrounding Her. At the center of the room, was four familiar faces.
Sonic was there, wading in a pool, at waist height, blind folded. Behind him was his shoes, but they were slightly different. Someone punctured them with several nails, as if the moment he found them, he was going to get hurt.
Tails, Amy and Knuckles were there barking orders to Sonic. They could see the shoes, but strangely, they weren't telling him. Instead, they were telling him to go forward. As Sonic moved forward, he began to sink, and the water reached his shoulders. Sticks opened her mouth to cry out, but no sound left her lips.
The three giving orders looked at her and spoke in unison, "Can't you see how hurt he would get, just trust us. We will take care of him."
Sticks' mouth wouldn't work. Why! Sonic continued to move forward, and Sticks covered her eyes, listening to the sound of gurgling. Something was off about the gurgling… it was changing… into wailing.
Sticks uncovered her eyes to find Sonic in front of her, still blind folded. His casual expression has shifted, and even with his eyes covered, his desperation was blatant. He was running his hands along the ground, desperate to find something.
Sticks turned to the sound of wailing, and saw a baby-carriage over a cliff. Sticks realized what was happened. She quickly ran to Sonic, and untied the blindfold.
Sonic looked at her, blinked a couple times before hugging her, and running towards the carriage. Something was wrong. Sticks watched as Sonic approached the carriage, only for it to magically move closer to the edge of the cliff. Sonic ran faster, and the carriage kept moving…until Sonic grabbed it.
Sticks breathed a sigh of relief, only to realize Sonic was dragging his feet, trying to stop the carriage. He kept getting closer and closer.
Sticks called out, "Just leave it!"
Sonic growled back at her, "I won't leave her alone anymore." He turned back to her and smiled, right as carriage dragged him off the cliff.
Sticks jerked awake, panting and horrified. This secret was getting to her.
/*-*/
Sticks slammed her head against the table. The Missing piece was evading her.
On the rolled out attention board, was pictures of Knuckles, Tails and Amy, connected to a piece of paper called "the incident", which was then connected to Sonic. There was a big question mark connected to "the incident".
Sticks repeated what she knew. "Eggman attacks Angel-island. Tails leaves Sonic. Sonic and Amy go to Angel Island." Sticks growled, frustrated with herself.
Sticks continued, "Sonic and Amy fight Eggman. Shadow gets involved. Sonic has trouble." Why was this so hard?
Sticks took a deep breath, "Sonic comes back, Sonic and Tails have a fight. Sonic returns. Knuckles dies." That felt weird saying, after all, three days ago, Knuckles was very much alive.
Sticks cleared her throat, "Sonic fights Eggman, Sonic gets hurt…" That's it.
She didn't have the full story, there was still at least one figure who Sticks hadn't listened to.
She reached into her picture box, and pulled out an old photo, one from way back when she had first joined the team. Sticks placed it on the board. It was a photo of Eggman, crashed in his little pod.
Sticks looked outside. It was dark, and the moon had just started to rise, but there was no time like the present.
/*-*/
The sinister, metal island was quiet. Too quiet. Granted, Sticks knew that it was late and Eggman was probably asleep, but still… it was quiet.
Sticks crept forward, approaching the door. No sign of movement. She felt nervous, what he tried to trap her. Maybe she should have told the others.
The others, who would have tried and stopped her. Sticks had to take that chance. She careful walked within inches of the door. She balled her fist, with a face full determination…and then peacefully knocked on the door.
She waited a few seconds, before knocking of the door again.
"GO AWAY!" She heard a very grouchy shout from behind the door.
"I CAME HERE TO GET SOME ANSWERS, AND I'M NOT LEAVING TILL I GET EM!" Sticks shouted back.
The door opened to show the great Doctor Eggman in pink Pajamas, standing with his robots Orbot and Cubot behind him. The doctor looked at her for a moment before giving a pleasantly surprised, "Oh wow it's you. What are you doing up this late?"
Sticks counter accused, "What are you doing up this late?"
Eggman blinked, "Stuff, why?"
Sticks growled, "I want answers."
Eggman paused for a moment, "What? Do you have math test you need help with?"
Stick recoiled a bit in confusion, "What? No?"
"Physics?"
"No?"
"Robotics?"
Sticks had enough, "I know about Angel Island, now tell me what I want to know."
Cubot twisted his head curiously, "What Angel Island. Is there an Island with Angels?"
Eggman shrugged, "I have no idea what you are talking about, goodbye."
Sticks stepped in his fortress, earning a "Hey!".
Orbot spoke up, "um, sir, if she knows the Island by name, it might be best if you simply tell her."
Eggman looked at the sphere, then back to Sticks. He groaned, "Follow me."
He turned around, and began to walk down the hallway to the control hub. When they entered the control hub, Eggman walked over to the table.
Sticks demanded, "Now start talking!"
Eggman simply said, "Not yet, lets go." He hit a button, and the control hub began to sink down, going deeper and deeper into a subterranean lair. There was a single, grey steel door, but that was hardly the most interesting thing about the door. In front of it was a line of white crystal. Salt.
Sticks glared at it as Eggman approached the door and said, "We'll talk in here."
Sticks nodded, carefully approaching the door as Eggman opened it into a dark room. He lit a candle with a match, and immediately after Sticks crossed the door frame, the door closed.
Sticks immediately drew her staff, "What do you think you're doing?"
Eggman simply lifted the match, and dropped it into a metal tray, which began to release a fog. Incense.
Sticks now looked around, she saw crucifixes, various paintings, along with runes, totems, and various jars of strange objects.
Sticks glared at Eggman suspiciously, "I didn't take you for a religious person?"
Eggman snorted, "I had quite the come-to-Jesus moment. My name is not Doctor Eggman. My real name is Ivo Robotnik.
Sticks blinked, "How'd you know I was going to ask that? CAN YOU READ MINDS?"
Eggman snorted, "No, I just know that if you know about Angel Island, then you probably know about the Red Echidna. Eggman is a nickname Sonic gave me after a few encounters to make fun of my weight."
Sticks cocked her head, "You don't look that fat to me."
Eggman laughed, "Oh no, I was, but then I started lifting weights, going on runs, you know, the typical get in shape stuff. I decided I needed to get my life together, so I stopped the evil-empire business, and decided to go into manufacturing."
Sticks felt multiple punches of confusion hit her, "Manufacturing?"
Eggman flaunted with his wide arms, "You are looking at Ivo Robotnik, C.E.O. and founder of Eggbot, your trusted source for automated appliances. Having trouble constantly forgetting milk at the store? Your egg- you aren't interested in buying a refrigerator are you?"
Sticks took a moment before shaking her head, "No."
"A toaster? microwave oven?"
Sticks shook her head, "I just want to know about Sonic before the "incident"."
Eggman paled, "Well it all started with the initial invasion of Angel Island. I encountered problems with a race of rock giants, who protected-"
Sticks growled, "Get to the good part."
Eggman stalled some more, "Are you sure, the audience might get mad that I teased a really cool stor-"
"I am getting mad at your stalling!" Stick barked.
Eggman paused, a mournful silence over took them.
He turned around, and grabbed a handful of salt, and sprinkled it in a circle around the two of them, "Alright. I woke up that morning and went with my typical routine of three eggs on toast. Everything was normal. I had Cubot load the fuel and coolant into the Eggmech, and I went out that morning, ready for another round with the rodent."
Sticks nodded, "You were doing evil stuff, right, what happened next?"
Eggman took a deep breath, "Well, I'm not sure exactly. The rodent and his little band of merry critters was late. I was kind of shocked and disappointed. That is until the strangest thing happened. He casually walked up to my mech. I should have known something was off and retreated right away. The look in his eyes." Eggman shuddered.
Sticks sifted uncomfortably, "What look. Why can't either of you give a straight answer."
Eggman snarled, "I have seen soulless bodies. I saw Shadow claim he was ready to destroy the planet and himself with calm face. But I was terrified when I saw the blue rodent looking at me with such…mania. He had snapped. Something broke his tiny brain, and he was out for blood."
Sticks puffed her face out, "What happened exactly?"
Eggman let out a long breath, "He climbed on my mech, and said "today we end this. Either you kill me, or I kill you. I couldn't careless, I've got nothing left to lose". I could tell in his eyes, that he meant every word."
Stick blinked, "Why?"
Eggman shrugged, "I didn't know, nor did I care. I knew that I was probably not going to live through the day. That was until the mech exploded."
Sticks blinked, "What caused the explosion? Why does that seem so spontaneous?"
Eggman laughed, "Well, funny thing. I had Cubot load the fuel and coolant. The idiot actually got the two crossed, and instead loaded the fuel into the coolant cells and the highly flammable coolant into the fuel tank. The Egg mobile actually has blast shields to protect from said explosions after the hedgehog blew up my machines one too many times. I got away with a nasty bruise and I took it as a sign. What higher power existed was trying to tell me to get my life together. So, I agreed to an end of the Eggman empire, and opened a business. I got in shape, took my life to better heights."
Sticks blinked, "So why are you here?"
That was the question. Why was Eggman still fighting Sonic.
Eggman gulped, "It was Shadow's idea. He was there, and he told me I was going to "play my part." I didn't know what that meant at the time, but if it keeps the crazy hedgehog from coming out, I'll sleep easier by playing the bad guy."
Sticks blinked again. Shadow, the black hedgehog, She spoke up, "I need to ask him some questions."
Eggman recoiled, "What? No, he likes his privacy."
Sticks glared at the Doctor, "So you do know where he is?"
Eggman tried to glare back, "I'll never talk."
Sticks smiled slyly, "Oh really, because I can talk to Sonic really quick. I can tell him everything."
Eggman pressed a button, "Haha, Not if you're trapped." The door behind Sticks made a *click* sound.
Sticks relaxed, "The others will come looking. Heck Amy might feel so bad that I got involved that she might just tell Sonic."
Eggman was sweating. He took a deep breath before slumping down, "Fine, I'll write it down. But you didn't get these directions from me, got it?"
Sticks nodded, and waited as Eggman pulled out a piece of paper and began writing. She noted all the idols and alters that were in the room, "Which gods do you follow?"
Eggman finished writing, before saying, "Which ever ones will keep Sonic from waking up."
Sticks took the paper, and Eggman unlocked the door. The elevator ride was awkward, considering the floor rose slower than it lowered. The silence was so unnerving.
Eggman broke it, "So…uh, got any cool wards I should know how to use?"
Sticks turned to him, "Vinegar, a red potatoe, and pine ash, sprinkle it around your fortress twice a week. Keeps the sea monster at bay."
Eggman nodded furiously, "Right, and do I have to add them in that order?"
Sticks shook her head, "No, mix them together before spreading, otherwise it will just make a mess."
Eggman nodded again, "Got it."
The floor finally reached the top, and Eggman gestured to the hallway that led outside.
Eggman gestured for her to get out. Sticks was happy to oblige. She went to her raft, and began to drift back to the island. Sticks was going to find Shadow, and then tell Sonic everything…right?
Part of Sticks realized something at that moment. Maybe Sonic was better off in this world, where he was a hero, and not in the other world.
But he's a father, with a wife and kids. They need him.
But Sonic has been absent from their lives. What if him returning only made all of their lives terrible?
Sticks screamed, and place of her palms on her forehead. Why was this so hard?
Sticks looked up at the stars. Without local lights, there was a vibrant array of colors to be seen, with purples and greens, and a little blues. This was what he wanted to keep safe so long ago?
Sticks frowned. Sonic deserved to know the truth, but would it just bring him more pain? Was there anything left of his old life that could be salvages?
She thought about this on the way back, as her raft drifted across the sea.
/*-*/
When her raft hit the sand, Sonic and Tails were waiting at her door. Sonic piped up, "Hey, Sticks, where have you been."
Sticks looked at him, before looking at Tails who stood behind him. Tails was shaking his head. Sticks decided to comply…somewhat, "I was hunting the truth."
Sonic groaned, "Right, ok, well you still should at least check in on us. We all got kinda worried. Even Knuckles, which is strange for him."
Sticks nodded, "Well, I am still looking."
Sonic shrugged before walking, "Well, tell me if you find anything interesti- ah" He gasped.
Sticks and Tails ran to his side, catching sonic as he stumbled.
Tails asked, "Are you alright." He sounded worried.
Sonic nodded, "Yeah, I just got a little headache for some reason."
Tails eyed his best friend closely, "Lets get you to bed. You've been up pretty late."
"The fastest thing alive can stay up a few hours." Sonic complained before yawning.
Tails rolled his eyes, "Go to bed Sonic. Don't push your luck."
Sonic nodded, blinking sleepily. He zoomed off, leaving a vibration in the air as he ran.
Tails turned to Sticks, "Thanks for keeping our secret."
Sticks shifted uncomfortably. Was there any point to arguing against him. Sticks closed her eyes, "I haven't decided yet."
Tails shrunk down a little, "Please don't."
Sticks shook her head, "Why are you doing this?"
Tails frowned looking down, "Sonic looked after me when my family abandoned me. He fed, took me on adventures, all that stuff. He was the best brother anyone could ask for. So I took it for granted and when he came back, we argued, over some money that I got from my mom. I said….something I really shouldn't have."
Sticks frowned, "I don't think there's anything that could lead to this."
Tails glared at her, his face becoming agitated and pained, "I told I hoped he wouldn't come back. I told that he deserved to lose everything since he couldn't handle my success. I said everything, and he just left. Sonic didn't say anything, and he didn't have to. He walked out my door, and never wrote to me again."
Sticks licked her lips while she thought. Tails looked up and gave a small sad smile before continuing, "Then, stuff happened. And I realized just how much I wished on him, and I realized he never deserved any of it. " Tails looked up with a fierce determination, "But his accident gave me a second chance. I won't mess up this time. I'll be the little brother he deserves, and I will make up for all the time lost. I won't leave his side again."
Sticks smiled at the conviction. He was ready for this and he had good intentions, but…
Sticks spoke up, "The Worst things in history have been done with the best of intentions. I am going to talk to Shadow the Hedgehog. I will find the truth, and then, I will decide how to handle this plot of yours."
Tails nodded, "Shadow can tell you the rest. He knows everything about the campaign, Sonic, and the Island."
Sticks went inside, and watched out her window as Tails flew home.
/*-*/
Sleep was not kind to Sticks, probably because Aliens were trying to dull her senses. Aliens?
Sticks jumped out of bed, and ran to check her anti-alien shields, and security traps. They were both fine. Still functional, and no noticeable tear or damage.
Sticks went back to bed. Night terrors still haunted her. Maybe she was just now realizing the gravity of the choice she would have to make.
As she stared at the ceiling, a brief voice her head provided the slightest sense of comfort. You don't have to decide today. You can still find out the rest.
With that minorly comforting thought. Sticks went to bed.
/*-*/
Sticks climbed up a third hill. Could he have chosen a more remote spot? Sticks walked down the hill and examined the map with instructions. Two more hills.
She trudged up the fourth hill, and while her stamina was great, this was starting to get tiring. The fifth hill reinvigorated her, however, at the thought of it almost being over. She bolted down the fourth hill, and up the fifth, using her hands to speed up her running.
When she got to the top, she looked down for the cave. Instead, she found an orange stone ravine. Sticks pulled out the map. It should be here. She looked up and around, maybe the cave was nearby. Nothing.
Sticks frowned, and flopped down, looking over the instructions. It was a standard map of the area, with a dotted line crossing five hills and an x at the bottom in between the Fifth and Sixth hill. Nothing was out of the ordinary, with hills and beaches, and the compass North facing he-.
Stick stopped… She flipped the map over, and groaned, beginning the long trudge back. She was going to be late for the campout tonight.
/*-*/
The cave was beautiful, with glowing pink and blue crystals She slowly walked inside, examining the even larger array of glowing rocks within.
"Took your sweet time." A gruff, annoyed voice complained, jarring Sticks out of the trance she was in.
The Badger squinted at the voice. The Black hedgehog with a red stripe along the top of his head, arms crossed and an annoyed posture. This was Shadow alright.
Sticks inquired, "What, you've been expecting me?"
"Of course, I'm not blind like the others. I knew as soon as you corner the Fox that you'd come for answers. The blubbering buffoon was going spill my location without a doubt in my mind." The hedgehog groaned.
"You saw that?" Sticks took a defensive stance.
"I see everything that happens on this island." Shadow boasted, "I knew you were coming, and even made plans." He gestures to a pile of small, oval shaped rocks.
Sticks growled, getting lower.
Shadow snarled, "I'm not going fight you. I'm going to tell you everything."
Sticks felt her guard drop, "You are?"
Shadow shrugged, "I see no reason to hide."
Sticks nodded, "Alright, what were you doing on Angel Island?"
Shadow smiled a smug grin, "I was an Agent for G.U.N., and we were dispatched as a joint operation with Sonic's legion to dislodge Eggman from the island. We arrived shortly after Sonic and met up with him along the way to Eggman's headquarters." He handed Sticks one of the oval stones.
Sticks nodded, "Ok, then what happened?"
Shadow smiled, picking up another stone, and handing it to her, "I met up with Sonic, and we went with a joint operation approach. We had our rivalry at first, but I realized something." Shadow handed her more stones.
Sticks was cradling them in her arms, "What did you realized?"
Shadow frowned, "He was faster than me. I didn't understand how at the time. I was the ultimate life form, how did he surpass me? The answer was simple. He ran, he trained." The stones were starting to get heavy.
Sticks groaned, "Uh, can you stop, these are getting-"
Shadow was on a roll, "You see, he didn't have to obtain the perfect life. He had a wife, kids, friends, and was set for his future. Sonic had the perfect life. But he realized that he would have to keep it. But it was a big burden to bear. He could hold on to so much with the speed and strength he had."
Sticks stumbled, the weight was becoming too much.
"He had to get stronger, otherwise, Sonic would lose his perfect world." Shadow growled.
Sticks heard the clink of a stone which struck the ground. It was slip with a rigid crack down the middle.
Shadow walked over and picked up the pieces of the stone, and showed it to her. It had the engraving friends on it, split down the middle.
Shadow gestured for her to drop the stones, which Sticks happily did, enjoying the break, "Our rivalry was over. And from it, he became a… valuable ally."
Sticks interjected, "Friend, you were going to say friend."
Shadow snarled, "Shadow the Hedgehog's friends are all dead. As you can see, he hasn't joined that club yet."
Sticks raised her hands defensively, "Sounds like you got issues."
Shadow ignored her and took a breath, "Our joint operation went quite smoothly, if you ignore the resource shortages. We were about halfway through Angel Island when…" he trailed off, Shadow's gaze became distant, and mouth formed a mournful frown.
Sticks leaned forward, suddenly interested in what was keeping Shadow quiet, "What?"
Shadow held up two letters, "These arrived, along with orders from G.U.N."
Sticks took the letters, and opened them.
Attention Sonic the Hedgehog,
I am pleased to report that your son has been born health and vibrant. It is to my displeasure that I must report that due to complication in child birth your wife-
Sticks didn't need to read anymore. She set the letter down, feeling a wave of sorrow and pain wash over her, and she picked up the second letter.
Attention Sonic the Hedgehog,
In accordance with the third meeting of the council of Acorn, you are hereby stripped of your rank and order to return immediately to the Republic of Acorn to await trial. Any attempt to undermine this will be seen as act of treason.
Rosemary Prower
Sticks looked up at Shadow with what could only describe as shock.
Shadow nodded, "And I received orders to kill Sonic. The council of Acorn sensed weakness with the passing of the princess, and they seized it. G.U.N. wanted to ensure a smooth transition to democracy, and for that to happen, the Monarchists had be done away with."
Shadow then smiled, "But I couldn't do it. He and I had become close, and I respected him far more than I respected my commanders. Fortunately, I wouldn't have to kill him. He no time to process each blow. Receiving that much terrible news… well anyone would need time to heal. Sonic got both letters at the same time and something snapped within him. His mania put him in a very dangerous position, which resulted in an explosion hitting him head on."
Sticks murmured, "The accident."
Shadow nodded, "He suffered multiple penetrations to the skull, and multiple foreign objects to the brain. The result was a coma that he was never going to wake up from. That was what the doctor said, and that Sonic would never be the same."
Sticks frowned, "But he's awake now."
Shadow smirked, "Six months later, he woke up, speaking, eating, ready to run. He was normal…except for one little issue."
Sticks blinked, "Which was?"
Shadow frowned, "He had no memory of the previous three years, along with missing pieces of memory through his life. He thought I was still a rogue entity, the fox was his friend, and that he was still sixteen. So I hatched a plan. To keep Sonic from being targeted by gun. I spoke to the fox, the pink hedgehog, and Sonic's legion. We created a town on an old badger nursing ground. I grabbed Eggman from his lovely little tower and told him to play his part as the villain Sonic knew. The Echidna showed up to honor the princess's final wish: to Comfort her husband."
Sticks shook her head, "Wait, so he thought that meant impersonating Knuckles?"
Shadow shrugged, "I didn't care, he had his mission. He became what Sonic remembered as Knuckles the Echidna. We built a history, and the legion did their part, becoming townsfolk and citizens to populate the biggest scam. To round out our band of liars, the fox and pink hedgehog became Sonic's most valuable allies, and I became his greatest rival."
Sticks took a step back, "So wait, the twins, the mayor-"
"Are all members of Sonic's legion." Shadow's face became like steel.
"The kids, the old people?" Sticks gapped.
"Families and retirees, kept in the back ground to prevent and information leaks." Shadow filled in.
Sticks felt her heart suddenly pick up speed, "So everyone I know-"
"Is actually lying about everything." Shadow walked back and sat on a rock, "Take a moment. That's the second biggest reveal I've ever been part of."
Sticks took a deep breath, "So what happens now?"
Shadow cocked his head, "What are you going on about?"
Sticks took another breath, "Well, I have your secrets. Aren't you going to lock me up? try to kill me? Force me to swear an oath of secrecy?"
Shadow sighed, "Do what ever you want."
Sticks blinked, "What?"
"Do- What- Ever-You-want."
Sticks shook her head, "You aren't going to stop me?"
Shadow frowned, "Out of everyone on this island, you aren't here for some sense of honor, or hope of redemption. You aren't trying to force a romance, or stave off your doom. You are his friend, because you wanted to be. If anyone has the right to tell Sonic the truth, it's you. So do with the information what you wish. What ever happens is on you."
Sticks frowned. This would have been easier if he had tried to cover it up. If he had tried to hurt her or keep her quiet, that would have made Sticks' decision easy, with the righteous idea of telling Sonic and uncovering the mass conspiracy. Now, it was an actual question of what was good for Sonic.
Shadow chuckled, "look at you now. You've spent hours raving about mad conspiracies. Now that you finally discovered a real one, you don't know what to do. Now leave me alone."
Sticks opened her mouth, ready to ask for advice, before closing it. He wanted her gone, and she was going to be late for the camp out. What advice could he give anyway?
Sticks trudged back, over the hills that had once shrouded mystery, through the woods that had given her so much trouble.
When she arrived at the edge of the forest, the small fire outside Sonic's hut was filled with laughter. Night had fallen, and the four were roasting marshmallows.
She could make out voices.
"And then I ran and slammed the bee into his pod."
"That was me Knuckles."
"Well I turned on the zoomy thing that made the bees crash."
"Pretty sure that was Tails."
Sticks walked through the bushes as another wave of laughter filled the air.
Sonic noticed Sticks, trudging slowly towards the fire, "Hey Sticks, where have you been?"
Sticks looked up, and took a deep breath to calm herself. She walked over to the log Sonic was at and sat down, "I have to tell you something?"
Sonic seemed to notice how serious she was being, and leaned in, "What's up?"
Tell him!
Don't tell him!
He needs to know!
Why? He's only going to get hurt!
He has a family!
He'll lose them if he goes back!
The voices argued in Sticks' head, as she growled in frustration. Why couldn't this be easy.
Sonic tapped her shoulder, "Hey, are you good?"
Sticks looked at him. She made a decision, and opened her mouth.
/*-*/
So, I am not sure how to categorize this. Mystery? Drama?
What did you guys think. Lay it on me like a slab of bricks. Good, bad, indifferent. Do you think Sticks told him the truth, or kept up the lie?