Despite fierce opposition from Badniks, Sonic, Tails, Sally and the rest of the Resistance fought their way out of Emerald Tower without any casualties, and they even got to their Hover Units all right. However, there was still the matter of pursuing Badniks. Fortunately, the machine gunners solved that problem, and the Resistance managed to escape Eggopolis without getting shot down. After making their way out of Eggopolis, the Resistance headed back to the mine, where they took their usual trucks, tank and APC back to Volcano Valley Zone for refueling before returning to Knothole. Here, they gathered in a meeting house south of the river that ran through Knothole.

"NICOLE, bring up the plans for the Roboticizer," said Sally.

"Accessing," said NICOLE.

Shortly thereafter, NICOLE brought up a holographic view of the Roboticizer plans. Tails looked at them closely.

"OK, based on what I'm seeing, I think I can come up with a machine to reverse the effects of roboticization," said Tails. "I should have enough components to do the job, but just in case, I'll let everyone know. Is there any place I can work on the machine?"

"There's a workshop north of the river, just across the large bridge," replied Sally.

"Got it! May I copy these plans?"

Sally smiled. "Go ahead!"

Tails held his watch communicator up to NICOLE and pressed a couple of buttons, thereby copying the plans.

"Sonic, may I have a word with you in private?" asked Sally.

Sonic gave a thumbs up. "Sure!"

Sally led Sonic to one of the huts west of the meeting house. Though it was rather small, it was luxuriously appointed, with a queen-size bed, an imported carpet, a vanity mirror and – like Tails' cabin – a few electronics.

"What it is, Sal?"

Sally kept a straight face. "Sonic, I'm going to be honest: I was wrong about you. When I first met you, I thought you were just some uncultured commoner, but the longer I hang around with you, the more I see you in battle, the more I come to realize that you're a kind, selfless, noble soul who would go to great lengths to protect everyone and everything he cares about. I'm honored to have met you."

Sonic smiled. "Ain't no thang, Mama! Actually, I gotta be honest: I used to be some street kid who didn't care about nothin' except gettin' three hots and a cot. Then Robuttnik came along, and when I met Tails, I felt like I had somethin' to believe in for the first time in my life, and now that I met you, I'm way past happy to serve not only this country, but even the world!"

Sally smiled. "Sonic…"

Sally maintained eye contact with Sonic, and after a brief pause, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. Having never been kissed before, Sonic's eyes widened, and he flailed about as he tried to figure out what to do with himself. The fact that he was being kissed by a member of the Royal Family – especially somebody whom he considered to be the most beautiful young lady ever – was enough to make him want to pass out. However, after he got over the initial shock of being kissed, he wrapped his arms around her and surrendered to her loving touch. Despite never having thought much about romance, the Blue Blur absolutely relished having a beautiful young lady touching him like this. She just felt so soft, warm and cuddly that he was willing to give her whatever she wanted. To him, there was nothing more cool than this. However, as hot and sensual as everything was, Sally eventually broke away from the kiss, leaving Sonic huffing, puffing and absolutely red in the face.

"You're so cute, Sonic."

"I could say the same about you, Sal."

Sally giggled. "Stop it!"

"What?"

"Seriously, what would your Uncle Chuck say if he found out you were flirting with a member of the Royal Family?"

"Hey, I hadn't seen him in years! I think he's got more important things to be worried about, don't you?"

Sally giggled again. "Oh, I am SO telling him about this once this whole war is through!"

Sonic smirked. "Not if I tickle ya first!"

"Sonic, don't even…AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Yeah, what do ya think the people of Mobius are gonna think when they find out their princess is ticklish?"

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STAHP!"

"Why should I? That laugh is HOT!"

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'LL GIVE YOU 'HOT'!"

"Wait, what the…!?"

Sonic found that the tables had somehow been turned on him.

"My turn!" said Sally.

"SAL! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Really funny to tickle someone now, hm?"

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NO IT'S NOT!"

"But you're laughing, aren't you?"

"I'M NOT ENJOYIN' THIS! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

And so, Sonic and Sally continued to engage in their little tickle war until both of them were lying on the floor, red in the face, huffing, puffing and snuggling with each other.

"Sonic…even if you are a rotten little joker, you're still one of the most devilishly handsome boys I've ever met!"

"And you're one of the most beautiful girls I've ever met, Sal! Hell…the most beautiful!"

Sally leaned over to Sonic's ear. "If you keep being this flirty to me, I'm going to kiss you again!"

Sonic faced Sally. "Not if I kiss ya first!"

Sonic kissed Sally again. Even if the magic of the first kiss wasn't there, the Blue Blur still got a charge out of the experience. Sally felt a mutual attraction, too. However, their little lovey-dovey session would be disrupted when the door opened.

"Sonic, Sally, where are you…"

Tails paused when he saw Sonic and Sally embracing each other on the floor. Both of them yelped when he barged in.

"Oh…I uh…sorry!" Tails rubbed the back of his head and smiled awkwardly. "If this is a bad time, I can come back later!"

Sonic got to his feet. "Nah man, it's copacetic!"

"What's going on, Tails?" asked Sally.

"After some trial and error, I finally managed to create what I think may be a viable De-Roboticizer," replied Tails.

Sonic gave a thumbs up. "Good goin', my man!"

Sally put a fist on her hip. "Problem is, how will we know if it works?"

"Only one way to find out!" said Sonic.

Just then, Sally got a call via NICOLE:

"Princess Sally Acorn, you have rebelled against the Eggman Empire for the last time!" said Chuck. "Give yourself up to the supreme Doctor Robotnik or face destruction!"

Sally hung up. "Oh no, my programming's been reversed!"

"Then we gotta hurry!"

Sonic thrust his fist in the air, but then his stomach growled.

"Aw man, I'm hungry! Tails and I ain't eaten anything since this morning!"

"Here…"

Sally opened up a mini fridge and pulled out two Hershey Bars for Sonic and Tails, who wasted no time in devouring them.

"Satisfied?" said Sally.

Sonic and Tails nodded.

"Well, let's boogie!" said Sonic.


Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.