31 Days of Sonic Prompt 3: What If?
Second Chances
The acceptance of a new Freedom Fighter was a cause for celebration. Their last member had been Cream, who had joined many months ago. In that time, the Freedom Fighters fended Naugus and Tails Doll from taking over the Kingdom of Acorn, saved the split apart world from Dark Gaia, and won over Eggman's Zombot cataclysm.
While each endeavor had been increasingly exhaustive, the Freedom Fighters remained strong. The sacrifices made by Amy, Rotor, Big, and Antoine protected them at the height of the virus, but in the end, they came together. With allies and enemies united, they defeated the Deadly Six after they had usurped Eggman and his Egg Army as rulers over the Zombots.
And it was one of those enemies who prompted the revelry aboard the Sky Patrol.
Sally knew Amy wore her heart on her sleeve. She sensed the goodness in almost everyone. She had decided to save that enemy, hammering him out of the way before he could become infected by the Metal Virus. While her friends were horrified, Amy had only smiled and requested for him to aid everyone in her place.
Bark came through for her. He assisted the Freedom Fighters and followed every order. He even dragged the Hooligans along with him, both of whom left the moment the world returned to normalcy. But he didn't rejoin them, much to Bean's dismay and Nack's aggravation. Instead, he wanted to stay with the Freedom Fighters, and Amy's excitement had been so palpable that Sally thought she would have gone super.
It led Sally back to the moment at hand. Chatter filled their planning room with the center table covered in various baked goods and piping hot meals, filling the air with sweet and spicy scents. Colorful streamers and balloons weaved through their ceiling. Music played from the boombox Rotor set up, and Sally chuckled, watching as Sonic and Tails engaged in a dance-off, performing increasingly complex moves to everyone's delight.
While the other Freedom Fighters gathered around them, Sally saw their newest member by himself. Bark sat at another table with his meal half-eaten. A slice of strawberry shortcake was also left untouched. He sipped his water and peered out the window, staring at the clear blue sky.
The party was for him. If Sally made an educated guess, then she understood his isolation.
She strode over to him, making herself known with a question. "How do you like the Sky Patrol?"
Bark raised his head and set down his glass. Sally took a seat next to him, smiling. Bark managed to return it, though she noticed it seemed tight. He nodded in approval and took his fork off a napkin, poking it through leftover pieces of cooked salmon.
Bark had been a mercenary working for Eggman. The payment he received was the luxury of wealth and living another day. He had joined Breezie's tournament, almost succeeded in kidnapping Chip, and had delivered the finishing blow to her father's head when stealing a critical Chaos Emerald. There were several other crimes he committed, far more than she could list off the top of her head.
But she reminded herself of what Bark had done. He proved himself loyal to their cause. He had gone as far as leaving behind his best friend, siding with heroism over hedonism. And Sally, still utterly baffled by Bean's mannerisms, wasn't entirely sure if Bean's tears were crocodile when Bark walked away from him.
Still, she had to ask. "Are you feeling okay? We all went through so much yesterday."
Bark's mittened hand tightened around his fork. His weary glare shifted to the table, his lips falling into a frown. Somberness glazed over his eyes, and Sally sympathized.
"It wasn't easy what you did. Leaving Eggman must have been a decision you were thinking over for some time." Sally let her words hang for a moment. "You and Bean are very close."
He paused. His eyes widened. But slowly, he set aside his fork and offered another nod.
Sally leaned closer, tilting her head and lowering her voice. "I'm sorry your friend didn't come with you. I'm sure that's what you were hoping for." She reached across the table and placed her hand over his. "But rest assured. Even if you face Bean on opposite sides, you have new friends backing you up. The Freedom Fighters will always support you."
Bark met her gaze, his visage softening. Traces of stress, his clenched jaw and hitched shoulders, eased. He managed a genuine smile at Sally, allowing her to squeeze his hand.
It was almost peculiar making friends with an enemy, but Sally had done it time and time again. The Freedom Fighters' encounters with Knuckles and Shadow proved redemption was not beyond anyone. Even Egg Bosses had their reasons to align themselves with the mad doctor, Sally remembering how she dueled with Clove over the Gaia Temple. Most were not beyond saving.
(She knew, of course, Eggman was an exception. His only goal was conquest, and she'd never make the mistake of offering him a reprieve.)
"Yo, Sal! Bark!"
Sonic's voice cut through their quiet moment. They turned their attention to the hedgehog, watching him spin around on his head. He flipped up and landed in a split, tossing his arms out while the others cheered, Tails thoroughly exhausted behind him.
"Either of you wanna give the dance master a real challenge? Tails tried his best, but I got the moves that'll make anyone collapse in a heap," he jeered, shooting up to stand.
Sally snickered, resting her knuckles on her cheek. "Oh, don't try and show off, Sonic. This is Bark's party. Remember?"
From the Freedom Fighters, Amy sprung over to them. She beamed at Bark and grabbed his hand, pulling him out of his seat. "Maybe competition is tiring, but dancing doesn't have to be! C'mon, Bark! Let's boogie!"
As Amy tugged Bark out of his seat, Sally caught the smile splitting across his face. His cheeks almost seemed to hurt, his joy tangible. Amy guided him to the center with Sonic, quickly joined by the other Freedom Fighters, while Rotor changed the song to one with an electronic beat. Amy shimmied her hips, laughing as Bark tried keeping up with her. He ended up waving his arms in the air to the hooting of their friends.
Sally drank in their bliss. For a moment, she enjoyed the peace that they had won. Eggman and his army would fight another day, but the Freedom Fighters would be equally ready to face them.
Taking in a deep breath, Sally pushed in her chair and tugged two napkins out of the portable dispenser on the table. She covered Bark's meal and cake, believing he'd want them for later. Grinning at her friends, she skipped over, joining in-between Big and Bunnie to welcome the newest Freedom Fighter, who matched her smile.