Sonic The Hedgehog (SatAM)

Sonic Echoes

Thumbnail Credit- Team Sea3on Staff

SPECIAL THANKS: wingwolffly ("Wild Fox") for their diligent work as an Editor in helping me give this a much needed revamp!

Inspired by the upcoming Season 3! Google "sea3on" to find out more! This story takes place only a few days after the ultimate victory over Dr. Robotnik and the destruction of his Doomsday Project. If you haven't seen the series yet, I would recommend the episodes "Sonic and Sally" from the first season, as well as "Drood Henge" and "The Doomsday Project" from the second. This is a part of a multi-story project of mostly childhood favorites, so I can't promise consistent updates. I do appreciate feedback of all sorts, since this is the first story I've written since the early 2000's!

UPDATE (5/22/2022): Consider this the 2.0 of the story. Many expanded and reworked sections, fixed grammar and more...! (6/2) More revisions throughout ACT I.

ACT I

Prologue

Another peaceful day fell upon the great expanse of Mobius, one of potentially many to come. A coalition of Freedom Fighters, led by a group of determined orphans who resided in the village of Knothole, had united against the terrors of a seemingly inevitable doomsday. Miraculously, a great battle had been fought and won; a great dictator now felled along with his last creation, and at long last the land had earned it's rest. However, one Mobian was having a hard time agreeing with that particular sentiment...

"Come on, Sal! We can't keep going over this road over and over again! We won! It's time to chill and have a little fun!" A bright blue hedgehog said as he tapped his sneakered foot impatiently, while gesticulating his arms to and fro attempting to signal to his companion still ignoring him. She stood out in a crowd, being a brown chipmunk with striking auburn hair and blue attire, cut for light field duty. Sonic continued to ramble about the many possible things she could be doing instead of...whatever this was. It was prime weather in the Great Forest, and they were wasting time looking at a dried up puddle.

"Sonic, before we have time to—'chill', we have to make sure that all traces of Robotnik's reign become a thing of the past!" Sally replied irritably, "Something that might, I don't know, take some time to get done?" She was also tapping her blue boots on the ground, mimicking but not quite matching the speed of her counterpart. Reaching for her handheld device, she once again swept over the focus of her attention, a suspicious patch of stained earth with an equally peculiar oily residue. "Nicole, scan for composition and all trails leading from..."

A rush of wind startled the young chipmunk, blowing her hair into her face, and just before she could adjust, another gust blew it backward once again, mimicking a mohawk. She pinched the bridge of her nose and grimaced, trying to make it clear that his boredom was beginning to wane on her own dwindling patience.

Sonic, visibly annoyed, gestured back toward the village...and an awaiting bed. "Sal, I think we're good! Let's go home!" Sally groaned audibly and dropped her shoulders in defeat, clearly exhausted. She felt her gaze travel downward along with her disposition. A gloved hand grabbed her arm gently, leading her gaze upward to the smiling face the one she loved. A comforting voice replied, "Come on Sal, I should be the one doing the legwork this time. You're clearly beat." The young hedgehog's words were very convincing, but if there was even the slightest chance she missed something...

A robotic female voice chimed in from the handheld, "SORRY SALLY, THE HEDGEGOG'S RIGHT. IT'S TIME TO CHILL." Sally was still having a hard time dealing with Sonic's "improvements" to Nicole's AI, even if it made her more personable.

"Nicole, you too?" Sally replied, feeling the effects of one long day finally catching up to her, "Well...alright, but you're giving me a ride back, Sonic!"

Sonic could only laugh, feeling another quip coming on. "As you wish, oh wise and capable Princess."

"Will you stop!?", Sally fired back in rhythmic fashion.

With another back and forth, another mission done, Sonic once again picked up Sally and the two raced back towards their home...

As the sun began to set, a nearby bush rustles and gives way as a shadow fell over the stained earth. Suddenly, a red beam lit up the patch in a burst of flame, erasing any remaining residue in its wake. The mysterious figure, content with it's work, slipped coolly into the depths of the forest once again.

Chapter 1

"It was a dark and stormy night-"

"Aunt Sally, I already heard this one", a young amber colored fox replied; two tails waving fervently just off the bed. "Also, I think this bed is getting a little too small..." He added, giggling. Sally gave him a tired stare, feeling exhaustion start to take hold, but still managed to lean over and give him a kiss on the forehead. Oh, you think so huh? Kids grow up so fast... I should know. "Well Tails, maybe Antoine and Sonic can give you a hand in making a brand new one! I think Bunnie has already spotted a fine young oak that will do just fine." Sally close the book for what was possibly the last time, and rose from her chair, smiling knowingly.

"Really!?" Tails said, erupting out of his bed excitedly and coming to a light hover.

The chipmunk motioned for him to land, kneeling down as he did so, and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Well, I believe someone has a birthday coming up. It was going to be a surprise..." Sally paused, her eyes traveling downward, "...but I think I'm done with surprises for now."

Suddenly, a large crash and the sound of splintering wood broke the relative calm. "No no no, what now!?" Please don't let it be one of Robotnik's... Before she could rise to her feet, Tails was already at the door, his hand grasping for the knob. In a split second, Sally was upon him, with one hand on his raised arm."Tails, stay here." she whispered, "We don't know what's out there-"

Suddenly, the door thrust open with a figure cloaked by darkness and barely visible in the frame of the entryway. Reflexively, Sally pulled the young fox behind and put herself between him and the imminent threat. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey, it's me Sal!"

Oh my gosh, it's just Sonic...A burst of relief washed over her and she rushed over to meet him, barely noticing Tails following eagerly behind. The trio collided together and for a moment, there was only chaos as the group dogpiled outside into the darkness of nighttime Knothole. The wind coursed through the nearby trees eerily, balanced by the distant sounds of running water.

Tails broke the silence, along with the tension, with his laughter, "Guess I'm coming with, huh?" Sonic and Sally replied in unison, "Sure, Tails!" "Absolutely not—Sonic!" Sally instantly shot a glare at the confused hedgehog who interrupted her, and he quickly shot one back with an excuse at the ready. "Sal, we got to stick together. That's the Freedom Fighter way, right?" Sally's eyes widened and narrowed in frustration, "We talked about this remember? He doesn't have to be a part of this fight anymore!"

The inevitable argument would have to wait as the sound of more crashing and splintering wood chimed in, seemingly on cue. Sonic's ears perked to follow the sound, tersely shouting "No time for this. Come on!" as he grabbed Sally without warning and quickly raced to the scene. Tails barely was able to keep pace with his own propelled force. Sally quickly pulled out Nicole, allowing the AI to automatically project a bright light to guide them. Not now. Can we ever have peace?

Ah, another moment of peace...another opportunity to enjoy the fruits of one's labour, or in this case a nice soufflé! He watched the oven intently, for the perfect moment. "Hmm, yes yes yes! Perfect! Ah oui, another culinary victoire for moi!" Antoine could barely contain his excitement, running his hand through his perfect blond hair. The young coyote guard had anticipated Sonic running long on his mission, so there could be no interruption this time! He heard some sharp noises outside his door, but nothing could break his immaculate concentration! Probably Bunnie taking down that old tree for the young one...so noisy!

All of a sudden, an intense impact shook the domicile, and he could only watch in horror as his perfect creation deflated before his very eyes! "NO NO NO, c'est impossi-ble!" He shrieked, before another crash followed soon after, even louder this time. A rush of air rung his attention away from the fallen dish to the entryway. His expression turned quickly from annoyance to horror as he saw a meter-wide hole splintered in the wall of his home, with a dark gloved hand beginning to reach through the new opening.

"R-ro-ro-ro-b-b-botnik!?", Antoine stammered, unable to believe what he was seeing! No, the hand was too small, but he couldn't help but cry out. He was all nerves... However, in reaction to his yelping, the hand quickly wrest itself back outside!

Sensing an opportunity to strike, Antoine quickly assumed a martial posture; culled from infallible will and rigorous training. He would not cower this day! "No time to be afraid. It is HIS time to be afraid!" He traveled to the door as fast as his shaking feet would let him. Curse this frail body—just one more thing for this one to triumph over...

Before he could get to the door, it suddenly burst open! "YAHHH!" The coyote burst forward and struck out with his outstretched palm; it was now or never! It met its target with a glorious impact and the sound echoed throughout Knothole!

"OW! Ant...!"

No, it couldn't be...

Sonic rubbed his temple, tender to the touch, and glared at the battle ready Antoine: a "fearful" presence in his pink pajamas. "Not cool Ant!", he tersely shouted and proceeded to zip around the scene of the crime, noticing several large dents along the wall. I'm not gonna waste my time dealing with "Blue Blood" over there...This could be serious trouble!

As he rounded around the hut, he spotted a cloaked figure slipping into the darkness. Sonic realized in this moment that he had the element of surprise! "Spin and win time." Picking a burst of speed, Sonic launched himself forward into a Sonic Spin. but just as soon felt his feet come up over him, slamming to the ground. Reaching backward he felt a slick substance on his quills...mega-muck? No, he smelt it. Oil.

"Sonic! Are you alright!?" Hearing his name, he looked back to see that group had finally caught up with him. "Just a little slippery, Sal. They got away, but I know where they went!", he explained, pointing toward an old path through the Great Forest.

Without warning, Tails shot up to a great height before Sonic could react. "Don't worry guys! I got the sky covered!", he called down, eliciting surprise from the onlookers; the auburn haired chipmunk especially so. "Tails, come down this instant! If this is one of Robotnik's, we can't chance you going off on your own!"

"What? I can't hear you from up here!" Tails voice trailed off as he flew further into the forest, high above the tree line.

"Oh man! Sal, we'll talk about it later! Juicin...!" Sonic leapt to his feet and sped off to keep up with the impetuous fox.

He knew the kid was gonna catch a lecture from Sally later, but that wasn't as important. Now, it's time to keep up with the rookie! As he rocketed into the foliage, he briefly caught her voice trailing off in his wake.

"Sonic...! Tails...! Be careful!"

Chapter 2

Tails' patience had worn out waiting for Sally's permission to help Sonic. Better to ask for forgiveness later, right? Man, sure is lonely out here...and dark. As he flew over the Great Forest, the seriousness of the situation began to set in. However, he knew that he had to be strong this time. Turning on his flashlight, he muttered to himself, "I'll show them I'm not a scared little kid anymore..."

Despite his best efforts, he could not live down the camping trip he took into the deep forest with Antoine and Sonic. It only took one scary bedtime story from Sonic to keep him up all night. It was spooky...sure, but he had gone on missions afterward and they weren't so scary.

Even with the flashlight, it was getting pretty hard to see and the trees were beginning to look quite menacing... The boy shook his head, clearing the thought away and renewing his concentration to the beam piercing through the trees. Gotta do this to show Aunt Sally...to show them all.

Within a matter of seconds, he saw it—the cloaked figure! Here goes nothing! Bolting towards the top of the trees, he realized immediately where he was and scanned around to find... "The old guard tower!" Landing on the open platform at the top, he barely caught himself as the rotted structure started to buckle and shift. Thankfully, the swaying passed quickly, allowing him to let out a small sigh as he reached into his pack to find a pair of night vision specs.

"Hope Aunt Sally doesn't find out I took this. Sonic told me to always be prepared, just in case." Tails could feel nerves beginning to take hold as he held the device to his face. "Uh, hopefully this still has power..." Fortunately, one button press brought it to life, and he caught sight of the now limping figure approaching the edge of the nearby cliff. Okay, nowhere to run. Man, Sonic is gonna think I'm the coolest!

Peering through the red lenses, he could see the red figure hunch over and pull the hood of its cloak to reveal... "Aunt Sally...?" Tails could not believe what he saw, but all too soon it became clear, like a long forgotten nightmare coming back to haunt him.

"No way!" He threw his hands upon his mouth, immediately regretting his outburst. Suddenly, he heard a faint, but sharp noise of something tearing through the forest. No, not just any something... "Sonic, look out!"

As he stood up to warn his friend, Tails felt something crack beneath him, and a pit formed in his stomach. The unstable tower came crashing down, giving the young fox barely enough time to leap away!

Tails guided his fall into the swaying branches below as he attempted to resume his flight. However, in his haste he felt his flying limbs wrap around something hard, abruptly and painfully stopping his descent. He swung back and forth, coming to rest upside down, peering up to see his tails tangled in the branch above. He flailed his limbs helplessly as a realization began to sink in. "Oh no, I'm stuck!"

Stupid, stupid! You always blab when...when... The blood began to rush to his head as he saw Sally, no, her robotic double turn around and walk towards him with one finger raised. Light began to form at its tip, and it began to blind him as it increased in intensity.

Many thoughts raced through the boy's mind as he began to panic. Why is she pointing that light at me?

His heartbeat began to quicken and he threw his hands over his mouth as she drew ever closer. Is this it...am I gonna bite it this time? Tails held his breath in terror, as he hoped it wouldn't be his last.

As she approached the young fox, her eyes glowed a dull red, but then receded to a familiar blue color as his borrowed specs fell from his face to the forest floor. "Tails?" Tails was frozen with fear, but it didn't matter, he couldn't move even if he wanted to. "No, not now. It's too soon..." Something about her was oddly comforting when she spoke. It was distorted and robotic sure, but that voice was still Aunt Sally's...

All too quickly, the double glanced toward a deafening sound. The sound of an angry hedgehog quickly gaining ground. Taking another moment to glance at the helpless fox, she threw the cloak over her head and sprinted toward the cliff, hurtling herself over the edge! "Wait!", Tails cried, somehow finding his voice once more. Even though deep down he knew what she was, what she had done, some part of it was still Sally...right?

Oh no, I'm...starting to... Tails vison blurred, and soon darkness overtook everything.

A trail of oil made it simple for Sonic to track the figure's movements as he sped through the forest. He was not one to let his quarry get away, especially if it was one of Buttnik's... He bobbed and weaved through countless thickets and barely cleared trails, kicking up mountains of dust as he sped along!

Won't be long now, you leaking rust bucket! Man...Sal was right about keeping one eye open! The hedgehog didn't like to worry, but he let the kid get too far ahead of him, lacking the ability to just fly over all these trees.

He smiled at the thought, realizing the big guy had a distinct advantage that could be useful down the line! The chase soon became a race in his mind. "Don't worry Tails, if there's one thing I'm good at..." Sonic reached into his backpack, pulling out his own personal night vision specs. "...it's catching up!"

It didn't take him long to set a new speed record through the winding path, but what he saw caught him off guard. The old guard tower crumpled into a pile of timber, Tails strung up in the canopy by his...tails, and the cloaked badnik hurling itself off the lookout point! Sonic knew who needed attention first, racing over to the fallen fox.

"Oh man...Tails! Hold on, big guy, I'll getcha down!"

Chapter 3

A few minutes earlier...

"Hey Sally-girl, don't ya'll think it's time we went after Sonic? He's been gone awhile..." With yellow fur still all matted and uncombed, Bunnie Rabbot had been roused from her beauty sleep by what sounded like a tree being cut down. It took the subsequent shrieking from everyone's favorite coyote guard to send her running over. He bellowed even louder when she showed up with her cucumber face mask still attached. Dear, I'll give ya something to be frightened about.

"No Bunnie," Her auburn-haired companion soon snapped her out of sleep deprived thoughts. "I...let Sonic and Tails handle this one." She had seen that conflicted look before.

Hold on just a minute...! The rabbot's one lop ear perked up suddenly and she turned to her long-time friend with a enthused expression. "Oh my stars! He's growing up so fast!" Walking over to the chipmunk and placing her good hand on Sally's shoulder, she gazed out the forest with her. "Well! I know if ol' Sugar-Hog with him, he's got it in the bag for sure."

"Tch tch!" The tutting drew the half-metal one's attention, and saw that the coyote was not nearly as amused. "I'm not being so sure about that, Bunnie. That hedgehog can be, how you say, irresponsi-ble!"

Oh great, he's working himself into a fit. She sighed and brought her fingers to her forehead, grimacing as she realized her mistake. Flicking pieces of mask out her fingers, she looked up to see him dancing about the scene in anger. "First my house is ransacked, my perfect soufflé destroyed, and now everyone is acting like things are all well in hand! Nothing to be worried about!"

Snorting ruefully, he could only hope to impart reason to the one who is most reasonable... "My dear mademoiselle , I am thinking both of them should be reprimanded as soon as they return, don't you agree?" However, both him and Bunnie were shocked to find Sally was...beaming at this?

"Well, Antoine... This isn't the first time they've surprised me with their teamwork. Maybe it's time I—oh my gosh!" Sally tripped over her own words, a once gleaming expression now twisting to horror. Her hands cupped over her mouth as Sonic ran back at slower clip than normal, holding an unconscious young kit in tow.

Bunnie rushed over and examined the boy's tails quickly, glancing up only see Sonic's pleading expression. "Tell me it's good news..."

"Aunt Sally...!" Tails bolted upwards in fright to find himself in bed once again as the morning sunlight filtered in through the open window. Birds chirped outside and a warm breeze pulsed throughout his hut. Oh man, that's the last time I have leftover chili dogs for lunch! He moved to jump out of bed, but something didn't feel right... Suddenly a sharp pain jolted through his spine! Searching for the source, he felt along his back. Moving further down to his tails, he found them to be incredibly tender. "Oh no..."

"Hey little man, those tails of yours ain't gonna heal right if you're not careful." He turned to see Bunnie enter the room with a concerned expression.

Stress began to take hold as the young fox carefully lay back in bed, and another round of pain wracked his body. He shifted in his covers, attempting in vain to find a comfortable position. Sensing his frustration, Bunnie softened her voice to a calming whisper. "Don't worry Tails. Just a little ol' sprain, sugar... You gave us quite the fright last night, huh?" Tails didn't know what to think as she pulled back his covers with her metallic arm and gently began to unwrap his...bandages?

The realization hit him along with another shock from his appendages. Tails knew he screwed up big time. "Oh man, Sally's gonna let me have it for sure..." I didn't wait for Sonic. Could've picked a better place to land... No. I know I blew it when I went off on my own in the first place. I would've been in worse shape if...if...

"Hey! I know who busted up Antoine's place! It was...!" He almost leaped out of bed as he desperately tried to get his words out.

Bunnie caught him gently with her metal arm and set him back in place, a non-metallic finger waggling in his face as she laid down the law. "Oh, don't scare me like that! You ain't going anywhere for the time being, muffin! Not with the way your tails are... That's a freedom fighter order!"

Deep down, the fox knew he looked like a scared kid looking for some kind of an excuse, but this was important! I know when I'm being conde...condo...being talked down to, but there's no time! I gotta let everyone know! "Then we need to have the meeting right here!" He focused on sounding as calm and composed as possible, like Aunt Sally would've done! "I've got something to say!"

Bunnie, with her usual gentle demeanor, relented and a smile formed on her lips. She in turn gave him a proper salute with her good hand. "Well, if that's how you feel about it, then we'll do it to it right in this very room! Just don't leave this spot till I come back with the others, hun."

He barely caught the rabbot talking to herself excitedly as she ran out the door. "Oh, Sally-girl would be so proud that he's growing up so fast! I wonder if..."

Tails was at a loss for words... Could this be his chance to be a part of a real freedom fighters meeting!?"

With Sonic dashing to and fro, it didn't take long to convert Tail's room into an impromptu meeting hall. The young fox could not shake the weird feeling that he would be stuck in bed for all this. The dull pain sharply returned which brought him back to reality.

"Hey Tails, how do you like your new bed? I'd say you more than earned it!" He pointed out a carving that stated "Sonic and Tails, Best Bro's Forever", and gave him an encouraging thumbs up. Tails could see the hedgehog was having a hard time meeting his eyes as he spoke, betraying his ultra cool exterior.

"You feel bad for what happened last night, huh?", Tails responded despondently. I think we both do...

Sonic buckled slightly at this, but quickly recovered with a confident grin. "Of course I do, I let you get ahead of me, big guy! That's one thing this hedgehog never does... I just, thought you had it this time."

Tails glanced over him to see Sally walk into the room, waving to him with a smile on her face. Aren't you still mad at me? His nervousness gave way to excitement as she motioned the rest of the Freedom Fighters to come inside.

Bunnie, Antoine and Rotor filed into the room next, with the latter taking off his yellow hat to scratch his smooth walrus scalp. "Oh man, they busted you up good this time, huh? Maybe I can let you try this jetpack I've been working on—oof!" Rotor recoiled as he received a "gentle" elbow from his coyote compatriot, now in full blue regalia.

"Now now, Rotor. The little renard has been through enough for now, non? Also. we don't want to upset the princess any further." Antoine huffed dramatically, now in his element. Sally tapped him on the shoulder and gestured towards the little one in bed.

"That's enough Antoine, let's hear what Tails has to say..." The chipmunk at long last brought her gaze to Tails, with a look both pained and curious.

A mixture of feelings started to run through him all at once. Once they hear this, it has to make up for flying off by myself...right? Tails gulped audibly—he couldn't help but be nervous! "Okay, but you won't believe what I'm gonna tell ya..."

Chapter 4

"...I don't believe it." Sally could feel her heart racing as the news hit her. It was worse than she feared. That -thing- that impersonated her survived their previous encounter and was now skulking around Knothole! "Oh Tails..." The chipmunk's head rose to see the blue hedgehog grasping the young fox's shoulders, attempting to alleviate both of their fears. Something darker tugged at the auburn-haired one's psyche though...

The trauma began to flood back all at once—of how she barely escaped robotization at the hands of Robotnik, who captured her during a botched sabotage mission on one of his factories. He used that double of her to distract her friends and do who knows what else. Meanwhile, she faced her own loss of self to life of metal and servitude. She didn't even want to imagine what would have happened to everyone in Knothole had the doctor's plan went through in full.

Sonic launched out of his seat, unable to contain himself. He slammed his palms on the table forcefully and shouted, "Yo, that Sally-bot is still kicking around? I thought she got wasted after we busted up Robuttnik's factory and bailed you outta there!" His eyes darted hysterically between all present in quick succession, ending with the one he had rescued that fateful day.

Sally could see that Sonic was spooked; a rare look for him. Everyone beside her attempted to speak at once, each with their own horror stories... The leader of the Freedom Fighters brought her hands up to air, motioning for silence. "I thought so too, but apparently that's not the case."

The tension could be felt all throughout the meeting room. Scowling all the while, Bunnie looked downward and pounded her good hand into her metal one. Antoine shifted in his seat constantly, with eyes scanning the windows for threats. Rotor had went absolutely rigid and was obsessively adjusting his hat.

Sally took a single labored breath and turned to the young boy at the table, desperate for anything to go on. He had drawn his covers up around him, as if some unknown chill had overtaken him. "Tails?" The fox flinched when he heard his name, and slowly met her gaze. A peculiar detail about his story had caught her by surprise and she needed to make sure that he was being honest about it.

"My double... She...recognized you, and that caused her to cease her attack. Is that right?" Tails was left unharmed when she was in Knothole the first time. She could have easily... She pushed the horrendous thought out, as the last thing she needed was to lose her cool at a time like this.

The whole room turned to the young fox at this moment, and he began to sweat. He focused on his hands and balled them into fists as he proceeded with his story. "Yeah. I dunno why she did though. She had me right where she wanted me, eyes glowin' and everything. Then she just stopped and said my name..."

"Yeah, 'cause she saw me coming for her metal hide! Ain't that right, Tails?" Sonic could not help but take credit for his timely rescue; a fact that made him slightly more at ease for letting the kit out of his sight.

"It is because of you he was in this mess to begin with, hedgehog." Antoine blurted out, unable to curb his anger any longer.

Bunnie quickly chastised the frustrated coyote. "Now Twan, you better cut that out. You're lucky you didn't get roughed up by that no-good doppelganger too!"

Sally could feel the heightened tensions reaching a breaking point and slammed her own hand onto the table. "Okay, that's enough! Antoine, calm yourself! None of us predicted she would return... He did all he could to make sure Tails was safe!" Turning her gaze to the relieved hedgehog, then to the attentive young boy in bed, an exhausted sigh passed through her lips. "Sonic, I think it's time we let him finish..."

Antoine grumbled to himself that Sonic always got "special treatment", but acquiesced to her request. Sally, with a gentle expression, gave the fox a moment of calm before asking him one last question. "Tails, did she say anything else?"

"Well..."

As night fell once again on the small village, Sonic waited outside of Tails' hut. He tapped his foot fervently, tension mounting in his quills. As long as that Robo-Sally was still out there, Knothole wasn't safe, especially if she had something planned. Those last words of hers echoed in his mind, taunting him. Not now!? Whaddya mean not now? What are you waiting for?

It took all of his willpower not to scour the whole forest for any more surprises from Robuttnik! He would go over every last oil spot and all the holes in the ground! Any hiding spot, even the tiniest of bushes, would be thoroughly searched. At this point, he slapped himself in the forehead, realizing the irony of what he had just thought. "Better not tell Sal about this!" He mused to himself.

"Better not tell me what?" Sally replied, startling him into impromptu back-flip. "Oh, you must be thinking extra hard today if you didn't notice me right behind you!" As he turned for a retort, he saw her sly smile showing through.

You were there the entire... Wait a minute, why is she giving me sass at a time like this?

Sally brought a fist down on her open hand for emphasis. "Before you say anything, Sonic, no, I'm not worried about my double. We stopped her before and done so much more since. We've grown Sonic—and she hasn't." She became far more animated as she went on, which the hedgehog immediately picked up on.

At this point, Sonic knew that she had some sort of plan, and her renewed confidence had rubbed off on him. It was infectious... He felt his muscles loosen and mind become more focused. He felt like he could sprint to the ends of Mobius and back if he felt like it! Pounding his fist into his glove with a determined grin on his face, he replied, "Sal, if you ain't worried, I ain't worried! Let's do it to it!"

END OF ACT I