Written by: Janni Pedersen. Edited by: Debbie Prichard.
Still dedicated to my littlebro! =D
NOTE:
I suggest you read part one if you wanna know what's happening when you read this... antyways, copyrights, e-mail addys and thank-you-notes are written in the end of this story! Enjoy! ^-^
Best wishes, JANNI PEDERSEN! :)
ENEMY OR ALLY?- Part 2 of 2
By the SU van, everything was dark and quiet. It was about 3:00 AM, and inside the van, everyone was asleep. Manic awoke with a start when he heard something drop down on his blanket. He opened his eyes, looking at it, and almost cried out in chock when a giant spider jumped away. His heart jumped one or two beats over, and the only thing he got out of his mouth was a tired 'umph'. He breathed out a sigh of relief and rubbed his eyes, yawning. He got out of his bunk, walked over, and got some water in his head, and turned to the guest bunk. It was empty. Manic's heart was in his throat again.
"Jennifer!" he whispered, "oh my, if she's left!" he sprinted to the door, opened it, and stepped outside. The air was clean and fresh here. He looked around, and finally noticed someone sitting, leaning against the van. Walking closer, he realized who: Jennifer. She was looking down at the medallion, in deep thoughts. Manic walked closer. She didn't notice him.
"Jennifer..?" he tapped her shoulder. She looked up at him, startled.
"Manic?! What are you doing up at a time like this?" she asked, still startled. Manic smiled.
"I could ask you the same thing."
Jennifer bit in her lip and looked down at the medallion again as he sat down beside her.
"Well… I was just… thinking." She quietly replied. Then, she looked up at Manic again, "listen, maybe it'd be better if I left… Sonic and Sonia-"
"Never mind them… I've got rights, and so do you." Manic started picking grass. Jennifer looked away from him again. When Manic looked at her, she was still looking out into the air.
"It's not only that." She finally said. Manic lifted an eyebrow.
"Then, what?"
Jennifer bit in her lip again.
"This might sound like one big joke, but please, believe me, it's not… anyway, I'm not from this place." She looked at Manic again. He shrugged his shoulders.
"I knew that. All Overlanders are from-" he fell silent, "sorry…"
Jennifer shook her head no.
"It's not that… firstly, have you ever heard of humans?" she asked. Manic thought for a moment. Then, shook his head no.
"In fact… I haven't… what's the difference between an Overlander and a human anyway?"
Jennifer looked down at the ground.
"I noticed one difference. Have you noticed how many fingers Robotnik has?" she looked up at him again.
"One less than other Mobians… four… but what-" he was cut off when Jennifer lifted her hand, showing it to him. His mouth dropped open. Five fingers, "b-b-b-but…." He stuttered. Jennifer nodded yes.
"And… have you heard of New York in the United States of America?" she continued.
"No… I've never been interested in geography anyway, so-"
"Sonia hasn't heard of it, Sonic hasn't heard of it, the only persons here who know it are Robotnik and me… because I've lived there… and because…" she looked away, "it's on another planet… called Earth." She quietly said. Manic looked at her, shocked.
"WHAT?!" he cried. Jennifer nodded yes.
"It's another planet… in another galaxy, in another solar system." She turned to him again, "this is Mobius the planet, right?"
Manic nodded yes, all silent, just staring at her.
"Listen, I know it sounds unbelievable, but please, believe me… it's all true, I swear." Her eyes started wetting, "all I've been thinking of is how scared I am, how I was gonna get home and why me… until I read that note. I thought I had to leave, but now I can't…" she closed her eyes. Manic didn't know what to say or do right now. He knew Jennifer wasn't lying, he was 100% sure, it was just that the things she was telling him were so unbelievable. He felt sorry for her now. He knew that. But what could he do?
"J, I… I know how it feels to miss one's family… I'm sorry about draggin' you into the battle like this… really." He talked fast. Jennifer shook her head no.
"You did what you had to… and… I wanna help." She quietly said.
"You're not leaving?!" Manic asked, sounding more surprised than he wanted to.
"No… I'd let you all down… all of Mobius. That's the last thing I wanna do." She squeezed the medallion a bit.
"But… what about your parents? Your family..?" Manic asked.
"WHAT ABOUT THEM?!" Jennifer almost cried out, making Manic crawl backwards. Then, she sighed and turned back to him, "sorry… I didn't mean to yell at you… it's just that… I… my parents were never home, I've had to take care of myself since I was six and they started going to meetings day and night... sometimes, they weren't home for a week and when they came home, they were tired and wanted to be alone… they didn't pay attention to me, they never asked how school was going, never helping me with my problems…" she let a tear roll down her cheek, "but I knew they loved me… they'll probably be worried when they find out I'm gone too… it's just that… they never showed they loved me…"
"But… didn't you have any friends to back you up?" Manic moved closer to her without really noticing it. Jennifer looked at the sky, silent for several seconds.
"I did… but I only had one true friend… one friend out of 30 others in the class… my parents were rich, we lived on 5th Avenue and my classmates knew… that's what made them all except my friend keep away from me. There were rumors about me, being a snob…" she replied. Manic bit in his lip. He knew what she was talking about. He knew how she felt at this moment.
"I… I know what you mean." He said, quietly, "I lived as a pickpocket until I was 15, and, well… sometimes I can force myself not to steal stuff but usually… I get into trouble… I only want to save money for the resistance but sometimes I go too far without really knowing… but people keep away from me because they know I'm a pickpocket and a criminal." He sank the lump that was stuck in his throat.
"But you have Sonic and Sonia…"
"I know… but… it's still like they don't understand… they grew up in families, I grew up without anybody really caring about me… except one person… Farrell… I HAD no family… I had to steal to survive, and it became a habit to steal everything that looked valuable… a habit nobody can accept and I can't get rid of." He sighed heavily. Jennifer listened. She didn't really know what was happening to her. After meeting Manic, it was like a hole in her heart and sole were no more. She couldn't explain it but now she knew that Manic felt the same. Had no one to care for him, he had to take care of himself. She felt something for him. Something she couldn't explain… her thoughts were interrupted when she realized she and Manic were sitting in the middle of a deep, warm hug. They quickly drew back from each other, shocked. They both blushed, getting all crimson in their faces.
"I'm… sorry." Jennifer finally said. Manic smiled wryly.
"Hey… don't be… then, I guess I'd have to be too." He shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I'm sure THAT looked silly!" Jennifer laughed quietly.
"Yeah…"
Silence…
"Listen, about Sonic and Sonia… maybe it'd be about time to show them that note?" Manic asked. Jennifer thought for a moment.
"Well… if you really think so, I guess it's ok…" she replied, looking down at the ground. Manic put a hand on her shoulder.
"Jennifer, I'm not gonna keep you here… if you wanna leave, it's ok, it's your decision. It's just that-"
"I know, Manic… it's just that the note says I can't… and therefore, I'm not gonna do it… as I said, I'd let everyone down. I'll stay. And even though you had that note I believe I'd have stayed anyway if your siblings allowed that… I have no place to go, and I can't get home." She quietly said. Manic sighed, smiling.
"I guess I can only thank you for this." He patted her shoulder.
"No problem… and thank you too." She smiled back.
"For what?"
"For doing this for me… for rescuing me back in the city. For caring."
Before they knew it they found each other in another hug, this one, lasting even longer than the other one.
"You two, hold it right there!" the door to the van suddenly slammed open, making Jennifer and Manic draw back from each other, quickly for the second time. Sonic and Sonia now stood in front of them, Sonic, tapping his foot.
"Manic, what are you doing?! It's an Overlander!" Sonia folded her arms. Manic rolled his eyes.
"Here we go again." He muttered. He turned to his siblings, "'it', my dear sibs, is NOT an Overlander. 'It' is a human, and I refer to 'it' as 'she', like she refers to the both of you as 'Sonic and Sonia' not 'those'! She's NOT a thing! She's NOT an Overlander!" he sighed heavily. Sonic and Sonia looked at each other, then, at Manic again.
"How are you gonna prove that she's no Overlander, Manic?! Isn't it kinda obvious that-" Sonic was cut off by his own gasp when Manic lifted Jennifer's hand showing it to him and Sonia. Both Sonic and Sonia stood, with their mouths wide open, counting Jennifer's fingers over and over.
"And how are you gonna explain that, bro?" Manic lifted an eyebrow. Sonic folded his arms.
"Two words, Manic man, _freak child_! She coulda been born with five fingers! Humans don't exist!" he tapped his foot once again. Sonia just stood, silent. Manic snorted.
"Freak child, HA! No way!" he turned to Jennifer, "looks like we have to show them the note after all!" he started looking in his fanny pack.
"You're sure?" Jennifer whispered. Manic nodded yes.
"What are you talking about?! What note?!" Sonic leaned against the van. Manic gave the note to him, folding his arms while both Sonic and Sonia started reading it through. Sonic looked the note over again and turned to Sonia who shrugged her shoulders. Then, he looked at Jennifer.
"Give me one reason to believe you… YOU could deliver this note, and-"
"Sonic, did you read all of the note?! MEDALLION! There's no way Jennifer would have a Royal Medallion unless mother gave it to her… and there was a medallion with the note." Manic cut his brother off. Sonic started reading the note again, frowning.
"And where is that famous Royal Medallion?" he asked. Manic nodded to Jennifer and she pulled it out of her pocket.
"Manic gave it to me yesterday." She held it up, showing it to Sonic and Sonia. Sonia took it and started examining it.
"It's not a fake… it's real alright. Sonic, maybe they're right. Maybe we should give Jennifer at least one chance. Even Buttnik wouldn't go to this much trouble just to get us.." She gave the medallion to Sonic who looked it over too and gave it to Manic, mumbling something while reading the note again.
"Sonic Hedgehog, are you convinced?!" Sonia continued on, folding her arms. Sonic leaned against the van.
"Nope. I'm only convinced about one thing. She works for Robotnik." He closed his eyes. Sonia looked at Manic and Jennifer.
"Fine Sonic…" she walked over to the two, "then, you're alone!" she muttered. Then, she turned to Manic and Jennifer.
"Guys… I'm sorry. Friends?" She held out her hand to Jennifer. She looked at Manic, confused. Manic nodded yes, and Jennifer finally shook Sonia's hand.
"Friends… thank you, Sonia." Jennifer quietly said, half-smiling. Sonic looked at them, his mouth open. He quickly looked away when they all turned to him.
"Bro?" Manic asked. Sonic looked at him. Then, to Sonia. Then, to Jennifer. They were all looking at him, somehow, pleading. Jennifer sighed.
"Sonic… earlier tonight, I told Manic I'd stay… stay to help you find Queen Aleena and make Mobius free. I swear, I'd never work for that tyrant to Robotnik. Never. He's destroyed my life in few days and your lives haven't exactly been harmony either… please, let me help… I know why you've been mad at me ever since you saw me… because you wanna protect your siblings. You have your pride and I respect it… but please give me a chance… please." She stepped closer. Sonic looked at his siblings again. They were still looking at him. Then, he sighed heavily and nodded yes while getting up.
"Friends?" Jennifer she held out her hand, hesitating. Sonic smiled.
"Friends." He shook her hand.
The Next Morning…
Some SWATbots made their way through the bushes, towards the van at the other end of the forest. Sleet and Dingo were in the front, leading the bots.
"I wonder if Robotnik will give us a raise for that girl… she's been causing us so much trouble lately!" Sleet muttered. A couple of SWATbots came towards them from the front and Sleet signed everyone to stop.
"Location of priority one, hedgehogs and human found- orders?" one of the SWATbots droned. Sleet rubbed his hands.
"Excellent! We've found her!" he grinned. Dingo looked around.
"We have?" he scratched his head. Sleet smacked his forehead, but turned to the SWATbots again.
"We'll round up both the hedgehogs and the human! No shooting, they all have to be alive! Stun them if that's necessary, but nothing else! Com' on!" he demanded. Then, they ran off.
***
Jennifer tried to kick the dummy one more time but missed it and was back on the ground. She looked at Sonic, Sonia and Manic, sighing. Sonia walked over to her.
"J, it's a good start! But you need a different position before the kick! Watch this!" Sonia signed her to step back, made a flying kick on the dummy and landed on the ground, perfectly. Jennifer sighed heavily.
"I'll try…" she started running towards the dummy but Sonia stopped her.
"Not that way… try to do it the same way as I did, much easier." She stepped away again. Jennifer nodded yes, and tried to focus on the way she was running. Before she knew it she had planted a well-placed flying kick in the chest of the dummy, making it fly back. The rope broke and the dummy ended up in the lake making both Sonic, Sonia, Jennifer and Manic stare after it in awe. Sonic, Sonia and Manic all turned to Jennifer, their mouths wide open.
"Looks like you did it, J." Manic pointed to the dummy. Sonia nodded yes.
"More powerful than expected! It's great!" Sonia patted her shoulder. Sonic looked at the dummy again.
"Have you done this before? That kick could destroy a bot in a split second!" he walked over to Jennifer too. She smiled wryly.
"I don't know… I was focusing a lot, maybe that did it?" she shrugged her shoulders.
"Anyway, maybe we should get to the musical practice! What d'ya say, guys?" Sonic turned to the others. Sonia and Manic sparked their medallion, only Jennifer stood back.
"Com' on, J!" Manic nodded to her medallion, "just rub the medallion!"
Jennifer rubbed the medallion, gently and stood with a transverse flute in her hands. She smiled.
"Now… that's cool!" she looked at the flute, somehow surprised. Sonic played a few tunes on his guitar.
"Ok, guys! Let's get to it! Any ideas?" he turned to them. Jennifer cleared her throat.
"I've got a suggestion… if you'd allow?"
"Go on, J!" Manic replied. Jennifer nodded and then, started playing a melody on the flute. Manic found the rhythm and joined her. Then, Sonia and finally, Sonic joined.
____SONG: Sonic Boom- from Sonic Boom CD___
JENNIFER: If you're strong
You can fly
You can reach the other side of the rainbow
MANIC: It's all right take a chance
'Cause there is no circumstance
That you can't handle (SONIA: when you use you mind)
SONIC, SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
JENNIFER: trouble keeps you runnin' faster
SONIC, SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
JENNIFER: save the planet from disaster
SONIA: From the dark, to the light
It's a SUPERSONIC flight
Gotta Keep it going
SONIC, SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
JENNIFER: trouble keeps you runnin' faster
SONIC, SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
JENNIFER: save the planet from disaster
SONIC SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
JENNIFER: spinning through a world in motion
SONIC, SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom......
ALL: SONIC BOOM!
_______________________________
They all stopped playing and changed their instrument back to their medallions.
"Hey, J! Not bad!" Manic put a hand on Jennifer's shoulder.
"Looks like it's official! J's now a SU member!" Sonic winked. Jennifer turned to Manic, happily.
"I'm accepted?" she asked. Manic nodded yes.
"Totally!" he smiled. Jennifer's eyes wetted when she suddenly hugged Manic who stood, confused for a moment but then, hugged her back. They let go and Jennifer turned to Sonic and Sonia.
"How can I thank you? For everything! I mean, this is so… great!" she looked at Manic who had turned almost crimson in his face. Sonic and Sonia snickered.
"Hey, J! No need to thank us! But I think you've already repaid Manic!" Sonic laughed. He walked over and tapped Manic on his shoulder, "yo, Mobius to Romeo!" he laughed again as Manic rubbed his shoulder.
"I'm here!" he sneered, making everybody laugh once again. They were all cut off by a great crash coming from nearby. When they looked towards the van they saw some bots approach it from nearby, shooting a lot of trees down. Sonic turned to the others.
"Let's go, hide!" he shouted through the noise. He, Sonia and Manic quickly ran over and hid behind some bushes while Jennifer hid behind a great stump. They all watched the 'bots approach the van. Sleet and Dingo came up to them when they had surrounded the vehicle, Dingo kicked the door in and Sleet looked inside. When he seemed to find nothing he turned to Dingo and the bots, looking slightly annoyed.
"There's no one in there! They've gotta be close! Search the area and when you find them, no shooting!" he demanded. The SWATbots and Dingo started searching immediately. Jennifer looked at it all from the stump. Sleet suddenly turned, looking at the stump she was behind, strangely. She quickly ducked when Sleet rubbed his chin, "hmm, I wonder if…" he started walking towards it and Jennifer flattened against it, her heart pounding insanely while she closed her eyes, tightly.
"Sleet! Over here!" Dingo suddenly shouted. When Jennifer looked out from her hide again, Sleet was paying attention to something else. She breathed out a sigh of relief, and looked at the bushes where Sonic and the others were hiding. Her heart was in her throat when she saw SWATbots had surrounded it closely. She watched as Sonic suddenly jumped up, grabbing Sonia and Manic, ready to speed away but the SWATbots aimed at them, and they were forced to put their hands in the air. Sleet walked over to them, grinning evilly.
"Well, well, well! The Royal Siblings!" he looked at the SWATbots again, "we'll continue looking for the human after roboticizing these brats! Let's see…" he looked the three over. When his eyes reached Manic, his smile grew. "Bring out the portable roboticizer!" he demanded. Some SWATbots put up some sort of chamber and Sleet nodded to Manic, "we'll start with Manic!" he looked at Dingo. Dingo scratched his head.
"Ehh…"
"Pick him up and put him in the roboticizer, muffin brain!" Sleet shouted. Dingo quickly picked Manic up and started walking towards the roboticizer.
"You don't…" Sonic stepped forward, but was stopped by the 'bots.
"I don't what, rodent?! Tell me what you can do about it!" Sleet turned away from Sonic, to Manic who was now in the roboticizer, kicking the glass dome, franticly. Jennifer's heart skipped several beats.
"Activate roboticization in…"
She knew she had to do something… she just didn't know what.
"3…2…1…"
Before she knew, she was standing in front of everybody, looking straight at the SWATbots, Sleet and Dingo.
"Star-"
"STOP!!!" she cried, making everybody turn to her, "it's not them you want, it's me! So come and get me, creep!" her voice was firm, and she looked Sleet directly into his eyes. He turned away from the roboticizer.
"The human! Get her! Everybody!" he pointed to her. The SWATbots, himself and Dingo left Sonic, Sonia and Manic and started running towards her. She stood for a moment, trying to realize what was going on. She looked at Sleet, Dingo and the SWATbots, and then, started sprinting away. Sonic and Sonia quickly freed Manic from the glass dome and he started storming after the SWATbots.
"J! WAIT!" he cried out. Sonic and Sonia looked at each other and then, followed Manic. All three of them watched as one of the SWATbots suddenly aimed at Jennifer with its laser gun. Three others did the same, and then…
She was hit by all four shots and collapsed at the same.
"JENNIFER!!! NO!!!" Manic cried from the top of his lungs, stopping. Sonic and Sonia came to his side and stopped as well. Manic stood, stunned, looking at the SWATbots, Sleet and Dingo who surrounded Jennifer. Sleet growled.
"I said NO SHOOTING! I don't wanna be in your shoes when Robotnik finds out she's dead!"
The last word sent a shiver down Manic's spine.
"NO!!!" he suddenly shouted, running towards the bots. They all looked up, just in time to see him attack. He destroyed the bots, one by one, attacking like an angry tiger. Sleet stepped back.
"H-h-he's gone INSANE! Everybody! RETREAT!" he shouted, already on his way back to the forest. Dingo and the rest of the bots quickly ran from Manic as well, leaving him, exhausted. He turned to Jennifer who still lay on the ground. He walked over to her.
"Jennifer…?" he asked, quietly. She turned her head, slowly.
"Manic… I'm sorry…" she fought to get the words out. Manic knelt down beside her.
"Don't talk, please… listen, we'll get ya back to the van, you'll be alright!" he smiled, though, worried, taking her hand, "J, I didn't want this to happen! Really!" he let a tear run down his cheek.
"Don't blame yourself… it's not your fault. You couldn't do anything, I'm just glad you guys are safe!" she smiled wryly. Sonic and Sonia quickly came to Manic's side.
"She's alive! We've gotta get her back to the van and get a doc, quick!" Manic turned to them. They looked at each other and then, nodded yes.
"I'll carry her…" Sonic quickly picked her up and Manic ran ahead. Sonic and Sonia followed and when they got inside they put Jennifer down in the guest-bunk.
"J, you're gonna be alright! I promise! I won't let you die! Not after everything I've been putting you through!" Manic sat down by the bunk, taking her hand while Sonic and Sonia stood beside him. Jennifer shook her head no.
"Manic, I knew something like this could happen! But I was ready to take a chance, and… this was what happened… it's not your fault at all." She looked at Sonic and Sonia too, "I just hope you guys are able to accomplish everything… find Aleena and get rid of Robotnik… I'm sure it'll happen too!" she nodded to them, "thanks to all of you for caring." She closed her eyes. Manic bit in his lip.
"Jennifer, don't… please…" no response. Sonia burst out in tears, Sonic fought his tears and Manic just stared at Jennifer.
"Why isn't she breathing?! She needs a doctor!" he turned to Sonic. Sonic sank the lump he had in his throat and put a hand on Manic's shoulder.
"Manic…" he quietly said, "it's too late… she's dead."
Manic stared at Sonic for a moment. Then at Jennifer for several seconds. Suddenly, he screamed, holding Jennifer and then, burst out into tears.
"I didn't want this to happen! Really! I tried to save her… I WANTED to save her!" he shook his head, "she… was killed because of me… because she saved me from being roboticized!!!" he cried out, "why can't I do things right?! I KILLED her!"
Sonic shook his head no.
"Manic… she saved us all, but… Manic, bro, it's not your fault!" he put a hand on his shoulder.
"We could've saved her! Before she was shot!" Manic took Jennifer's hand, "I didn't want it to happen… really!" he bit in his lip.
"Bro, I… I'm sorry, but there's nothing any of us could've done…" Sonic sighed, "listen… we'll get to the HQ tomorrow, so let's burry her there… it's the best thing we can do, alright?"
"NO!!! We can still try the medallions! It'll work, I'm sure!" Manic took Jennifer's medallion off her neck and held it tight for a moment. Sonia shook her head no.
"Manic, never use it on a dead person… maybe it'll bring Jennifer back to life, but it could also kill us… maybe even kill Jennifer again afterwards… I'm sorry, but we can't do it!" she fought the tears. Manic closed his eyes.
"She paid her life for ours, we have to risk something too! We owe her our lives!" he tightened his grip on Jennifer's medallion.
"Manic… we can't, we could kill her again! The chances that medallion power is working on a dead person are very small! We simply can't risk it! Besides, do you think Jennifer would want us to do this? Die for her?! We can't do it." Sonic shook his head. Manic fell silent, just staring at Jennifer.
"Ok…"
Later on, in the evening, none of the three siblings said anything when they went to bed. Manic lay in his bunk, listening from any signs of sleep coming from his siblings. After three hours or so, he was finally sure they were asleep. He sat up in his bunk and looked over at Jennifer.
"I said you'll be alright… and you will, J." he whispered. She had closed eyes and her hands were folded. He was almost convinced that she was only asleep, but inside he knew better. He got out of his bunk and walked over to Sonic. He was snoring, loud. Manic quickly snatched his medallion. Sonic groaned in his sleep, making Manic freeze on the spot. Sonic rolled over, and continued snoring. Manic breathed out a sigh of relief. He walked over to Sonia and took her medallions too. She still slept when he left her and walked over to Jennifer, "ok… I hope Sonic forgives easily… but I owe you my life, I can't just let this happen!" he picked her up and started walking out of the van. When he got outside, he walked a distance away from the van and put Jennifer down. He knelt down beside her, sighing heavily.
"Now or never…" he placed Sonic, Sonia and Jennifer's medallions in a circle around both of them and held his own medallion and Jennifer's hand. Then, he closed his eyes and started concentrating. After a moment, all of the medallions and Jennifer started glowing, making Manic hope even more. He focused even more, and everything started getting black. Jennifer suddenly sat up, and everything stopped glowing. She looked around for a moment, and then at Manic who had still closed eyes.
"M-Manic?! What…" she looked around again, "I'm alive!" she examined her hands, "but… uhh… who used my head for soccer ball?"
Manic opened his eyes, looking at her.
"J, it worked!!!" he cried. Jennifer looked at him.
"What? Was it all a dream… I mean, I was shot, wasn't I…?" she looked confused. Manic smiled.
"You were… but… I couldn't let it happen, I owed you… so, against Sonic's will, I used the medallions…" he cleared his throat. Jennifer smiled back.
"Used the medallions… but isn't that dangerous on a dead person?"
"I couldn't let it happen, J! I owe you my life, but… yeah, it's dangerous… that's why Sonic didn't allow it." He looked down at the ground. Jennifer's smile widened.
"Manic… I… you're the best!" she suddenly leaned over and gave him a fast kiss on the cheek followed by a hug, making Manic turn all crimson, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hey… it was nothing!" he looked away from her, still grinning, sheepishly.
"You saved my life! Never walk towards the light in the end of the tunnel, eh?" she laughed. Manic rubbed his cheek.
"Yeah… by the way, I forgot to say… thank you. For saving my life." He picked Jennifer's medallion up and put it in her hand.
"I'm just glad you guys are still alive… I didn't know what to do when you were almost roboticized, it was… well, I had to do something." She sighed. Manic nodded.
"I know what you mean… it's-"
"Manic what are you doing out at a time like this?!" Manic was cut off by a voice coming from nearby. Both he and Jennifer turned to see Sonic, "and what the heck are-" he was cut off by his own gasp when he noticed Jennifer, "J?!" he almost cried out.
"Sonic, did you-" Sonia came to his side, and just stood, staring at Jennifer, "oh my gosh! Jennifer! You're alive!" she stormed over and gave Jennifer a sisterly hug, making the human look more surprised than ever.
"I am… thanks to Manic." She nodded to Manic. Both Sonic and Sonia turned to him.
"Manic! I thought we told you it was dangerous!" Sonic tapped his foot. Manic looked down at the ground.
"I know…" then, he looked up, lowering his eyebrows, "but I was willing to take a chance to save Jennifer… and, hey, she's alive, I'm alive, right? I had to do this! She saved my life!" he took Jennifer's hand. Sonic looked at Sonia.
"Of course! That's the Manic we know, the Manic we respect!" Sonia winked.
"She's right! Besides, maybe we should've been the ones who'd be ready to take a chance to save you too, Jennifer… looks like we owe you an apology!" Sonic held out his hand to Jennifer. She shook her head no.
"No… you don't. Listen, I was just glad you guys are safe! I did my part… and I owe Manic a lot… for saving my life." She pushed Sonic's hand away, "no need to apologize." She picked Sonic and Sonia's medallions up "I guess these are yours." She got up and gave them to Sonic and Sonia. Manic got up as well.
"You're still gonna stay… aren't you?" he asked, hesitating.
"Of course… if your siblings still allow?" Jennifer looked at Sonic and Sonia.
"Hey, you're welcome! Freedom fighter in training, then?" Sonic winked.
"Freedom fighter in training! A lot of training!" Jennifer laughed. Sonia took her medallion.
"And band member!" she gave the medallion to Manic who put it around Jennifer's neck.
"Welcome to the resistance, J." he stepped back. Jennifer bit in her lip, trying to hold the tears of joy back.
"Thanks… but… aww!" she suddenly ran to Manic, hugged him and gave him a kiss, this one, longer than the other, on his cheek. He looked at her, first shocked and confused, but then, smiled, blushing.
"I-I-I-I… geez!" he put his arms on the back of his head, grinning, "it was nothing!" he looked down at the ground. Sonic and Sonia snickered.
"Well, looks like we're gonna get along great…
None of them noticed a figure nearby. Watching them all, waiting. Waiting for the day she could reunite with them, the day Mobius would be free.
"Good job, my children… I love you."
END!
Ooooohkaaaay, I hope you liked this… I enjoyed writing it even though it took a long time… geez… but hey, it's twice as big as the last updated version. I'm working hard on rewritten versions of the other stories too ("Girl Power!" and "Family Secrets") plus some other stories (including a new series of stories I've decided to write. I'll tell you about these later). Oh, if you want info on new/upcoming stories, a pic/profile of Jennifer Scott or something else, please, e-mail me at sonicfriends_forever@start.com.au … thanks for reading this!
Best wishes, JANNI!!!
Still dedicated to my littlebro! =D
NOTE:
I suggest you read part one if you wanna know what's happening when you read this... antyways, copyrights, e-mail addys and thank-you-notes are written in the end of this story! Enjoy! ^-^
Best wishes, JANNI PEDERSEN! :)
ENEMY OR ALLY?- Part 2 of 2
By the SU van, everything was dark and quiet. It was about 3:00 AM, and inside the van, everyone was asleep. Manic awoke with a start when he heard something drop down on his blanket. He opened his eyes, looking at it, and almost cried out in chock when a giant spider jumped away. His heart jumped one or two beats over, and the only thing he got out of his mouth was a tired 'umph'. He breathed out a sigh of relief and rubbed his eyes, yawning. He got out of his bunk, walked over, and got some water in his head, and turned to the guest bunk. It was empty. Manic's heart was in his throat again.
"Jennifer!" he whispered, "oh my, if she's left!" he sprinted to the door, opened it, and stepped outside. The air was clean and fresh here. He looked around, and finally noticed someone sitting, leaning against the van. Walking closer, he realized who: Jennifer. She was looking down at the medallion, in deep thoughts. Manic walked closer. She didn't notice him.
"Jennifer..?" he tapped her shoulder. She looked up at him, startled.
"Manic?! What are you doing up at a time like this?" she asked, still startled. Manic smiled.
"I could ask you the same thing."
Jennifer bit in her lip and looked down at the medallion again as he sat down beside her.
"Well… I was just… thinking." She quietly replied. Then, she looked up at Manic again, "listen, maybe it'd be better if I left… Sonic and Sonia-"
"Never mind them… I've got rights, and so do you." Manic started picking grass. Jennifer looked away from him again. When Manic looked at her, she was still looking out into the air.
"It's not only that." She finally said. Manic lifted an eyebrow.
"Then, what?"
Jennifer bit in her lip again.
"This might sound like one big joke, but please, believe me, it's not… anyway, I'm not from this place." She looked at Manic again. He shrugged his shoulders.
"I knew that. All Overlanders are from-" he fell silent, "sorry…"
Jennifer shook her head no.
"It's not that… firstly, have you ever heard of humans?" she asked. Manic thought for a moment. Then, shook his head no.
"In fact… I haven't… what's the difference between an Overlander and a human anyway?"
Jennifer looked down at the ground.
"I noticed one difference. Have you noticed how many fingers Robotnik has?" she looked up at him again.
"One less than other Mobians… four… but what-" he was cut off when Jennifer lifted her hand, showing it to him. His mouth dropped open. Five fingers, "b-b-b-but…." He stuttered. Jennifer nodded yes.
"And… have you heard of New York in the United States of America?" she continued.
"No… I've never been interested in geography anyway, so-"
"Sonia hasn't heard of it, Sonic hasn't heard of it, the only persons here who know it are Robotnik and me… because I've lived there… and because…" she looked away, "it's on another planet… called Earth." She quietly said. Manic looked at her, shocked.
"WHAT?!" he cried. Jennifer nodded yes.
"It's another planet… in another galaxy, in another solar system." She turned to him again, "this is Mobius the planet, right?"
Manic nodded yes, all silent, just staring at her.
"Listen, I know it sounds unbelievable, but please, believe me… it's all true, I swear." Her eyes started wetting, "all I've been thinking of is how scared I am, how I was gonna get home and why me… until I read that note. I thought I had to leave, but now I can't…" she closed her eyes. Manic didn't know what to say or do right now. He knew Jennifer wasn't lying, he was 100% sure, it was just that the things she was telling him were so unbelievable. He felt sorry for her now. He knew that. But what could he do?
"J, I… I know how it feels to miss one's family… I'm sorry about draggin' you into the battle like this… really." He talked fast. Jennifer shook her head no.
"You did what you had to… and… I wanna help." She quietly said.
"You're not leaving?!" Manic asked, sounding more surprised than he wanted to.
"No… I'd let you all down… all of Mobius. That's the last thing I wanna do." She squeezed the medallion a bit.
"But… what about your parents? Your family..?" Manic asked.
"WHAT ABOUT THEM?!" Jennifer almost cried out, making Manic crawl backwards. Then, she sighed and turned back to him, "sorry… I didn't mean to yell at you… it's just that… I… my parents were never home, I've had to take care of myself since I was six and they started going to meetings day and night... sometimes, they weren't home for a week and when they came home, they were tired and wanted to be alone… they didn't pay attention to me, they never asked how school was going, never helping me with my problems…" she let a tear roll down her cheek, "but I knew they loved me… they'll probably be worried when they find out I'm gone too… it's just that… they never showed they loved me…"
"But… didn't you have any friends to back you up?" Manic moved closer to her without really noticing it. Jennifer looked at the sky, silent for several seconds.
"I did… but I only had one true friend… one friend out of 30 others in the class… my parents were rich, we lived on 5th Avenue and my classmates knew… that's what made them all except my friend keep away from me. There were rumors about me, being a snob…" she replied. Manic bit in his lip. He knew what she was talking about. He knew how she felt at this moment.
"I… I know what you mean." He said, quietly, "I lived as a pickpocket until I was 15, and, well… sometimes I can force myself not to steal stuff but usually… I get into trouble… I only want to save money for the resistance but sometimes I go too far without really knowing… but people keep away from me because they know I'm a pickpocket and a criminal." He sank the lump that was stuck in his throat.
"But you have Sonic and Sonia…"
"I know… but… it's still like they don't understand… they grew up in families, I grew up without anybody really caring about me… except one person… Farrell… I HAD no family… I had to steal to survive, and it became a habit to steal everything that looked valuable… a habit nobody can accept and I can't get rid of." He sighed heavily. Jennifer listened. She didn't really know what was happening to her. After meeting Manic, it was like a hole in her heart and sole were no more. She couldn't explain it but now she knew that Manic felt the same. Had no one to care for him, he had to take care of himself. She felt something for him. Something she couldn't explain… her thoughts were interrupted when she realized she and Manic were sitting in the middle of a deep, warm hug. They quickly drew back from each other, shocked. They both blushed, getting all crimson in their faces.
"I'm… sorry." Jennifer finally said. Manic smiled wryly.
"Hey… don't be… then, I guess I'd have to be too." He shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I'm sure THAT looked silly!" Jennifer laughed quietly.
"Yeah…"
Silence…
"Listen, about Sonic and Sonia… maybe it'd be about time to show them that note?" Manic asked. Jennifer thought for a moment.
"Well… if you really think so, I guess it's ok…" she replied, looking down at the ground. Manic put a hand on her shoulder.
"Jennifer, I'm not gonna keep you here… if you wanna leave, it's ok, it's your decision. It's just that-"
"I know, Manic… it's just that the note says I can't… and therefore, I'm not gonna do it… as I said, I'd let everyone down. I'll stay. And even though you had that note I believe I'd have stayed anyway if your siblings allowed that… I have no place to go, and I can't get home." She quietly said. Manic sighed, smiling.
"I guess I can only thank you for this." He patted her shoulder.
"No problem… and thank you too." She smiled back.
"For what?"
"For doing this for me… for rescuing me back in the city. For caring."
Before they knew it they found each other in another hug, this one, lasting even longer than the other one.
"You two, hold it right there!" the door to the van suddenly slammed open, making Jennifer and Manic draw back from each other, quickly for the second time. Sonic and Sonia now stood in front of them, Sonic, tapping his foot.
"Manic, what are you doing?! It's an Overlander!" Sonia folded her arms. Manic rolled his eyes.
"Here we go again." He muttered. He turned to his siblings, "'it', my dear sibs, is NOT an Overlander. 'It' is a human, and I refer to 'it' as 'she', like she refers to the both of you as 'Sonic and Sonia' not 'those'! She's NOT a thing! She's NOT an Overlander!" he sighed heavily. Sonic and Sonia looked at each other, then, at Manic again.
"How are you gonna prove that she's no Overlander, Manic?! Isn't it kinda obvious that-" Sonic was cut off by his own gasp when Manic lifted Jennifer's hand showing it to him and Sonia. Both Sonic and Sonia stood, with their mouths wide open, counting Jennifer's fingers over and over.
"And how are you gonna explain that, bro?" Manic lifted an eyebrow. Sonic folded his arms.
"Two words, Manic man, _freak child_! She coulda been born with five fingers! Humans don't exist!" he tapped his foot once again. Sonia just stood, silent. Manic snorted.
"Freak child, HA! No way!" he turned to Jennifer, "looks like we have to show them the note after all!" he started looking in his fanny pack.
"You're sure?" Jennifer whispered. Manic nodded yes.
"What are you talking about?! What note?!" Sonic leaned against the van. Manic gave the note to him, folding his arms while both Sonic and Sonia started reading it through. Sonic looked the note over again and turned to Sonia who shrugged her shoulders. Then, he looked at Jennifer.
"Give me one reason to believe you… YOU could deliver this note, and-"
"Sonic, did you read all of the note?! MEDALLION! There's no way Jennifer would have a Royal Medallion unless mother gave it to her… and there was a medallion with the note." Manic cut his brother off. Sonic started reading the note again, frowning.
"And where is that famous Royal Medallion?" he asked. Manic nodded to Jennifer and she pulled it out of her pocket.
"Manic gave it to me yesterday." She held it up, showing it to Sonic and Sonia. Sonia took it and started examining it.
"It's not a fake… it's real alright. Sonic, maybe they're right. Maybe we should give Jennifer at least one chance. Even Buttnik wouldn't go to this much trouble just to get us.." She gave the medallion to Sonic who looked it over too and gave it to Manic, mumbling something while reading the note again.
"Sonic Hedgehog, are you convinced?!" Sonia continued on, folding her arms. Sonic leaned against the van.
"Nope. I'm only convinced about one thing. She works for Robotnik." He closed his eyes. Sonia looked at Manic and Jennifer.
"Fine Sonic…" she walked over to the two, "then, you're alone!" she muttered. Then, she turned to Manic and Jennifer.
"Guys… I'm sorry. Friends?" She held out her hand to Jennifer. She looked at Manic, confused. Manic nodded yes, and Jennifer finally shook Sonia's hand.
"Friends… thank you, Sonia." Jennifer quietly said, half-smiling. Sonic looked at them, his mouth open. He quickly looked away when they all turned to him.
"Bro?" Manic asked. Sonic looked at him. Then, to Sonia. Then, to Jennifer. They were all looking at him, somehow, pleading. Jennifer sighed.
"Sonic… earlier tonight, I told Manic I'd stay… stay to help you find Queen Aleena and make Mobius free. I swear, I'd never work for that tyrant to Robotnik. Never. He's destroyed my life in few days and your lives haven't exactly been harmony either… please, let me help… I know why you've been mad at me ever since you saw me… because you wanna protect your siblings. You have your pride and I respect it… but please give me a chance… please." She stepped closer. Sonic looked at his siblings again. They were still looking at him. Then, he sighed heavily and nodded yes while getting up.
"Friends?" Jennifer she held out her hand, hesitating. Sonic smiled.
"Friends." He shook her hand.
The Next Morning…
Some SWATbots made their way through the bushes, towards the van at the other end of the forest. Sleet and Dingo were in the front, leading the bots.
"I wonder if Robotnik will give us a raise for that girl… she's been causing us so much trouble lately!" Sleet muttered. A couple of SWATbots came towards them from the front and Sleet signed everyone to stop.
"Location of priority one, hedgehogs and human found- orders?" one of the SWATbots droned. Sleet rubbed his hands.
"Excellent! We've found her!" he grinned. Dingo looked around.
"We have?" he scratched his head. Sleet smacked his forehead, but turned to the SWATbots again.
"We'll round up both the hedgehogs and the human! No shooting, they all have to be alive! Stun them if that's necessary, but nothing else! Com' on!" he demanded. Then, they ran off.
***
Jennifer tried to kick the dummy one more time but missed it and was back on the ground. She looked at Sonic, Sonia and Manic, sighing. Sonia walked over to her.
"J, it's a good start! But you need a different position before the kick! Watch this!" Sonia signed her to step back, made a flying kick on the dummy and landed on the ground, perfectly. Jennifer sighed heavily.
"I'll try…" she started running towards the dummy but Sonia stopped her.
"Not that way… try to do it the same way as I did, much easier." She stepped away again. Jennifer nodded yes, and tried to focus on the way she was running. Before she knew it she had planted a well-placed flying kick in the chest of the dummy, making it fly back. The rope broke and the dummy ended up in the lake making both Sonic, Sonia, Jennifer and Manic stare after it in awe. Sonic, Sonia and Manic all turned to Jennifer, their mouths wide open.
"Looks like you did it, J." Manic pointed to the dummy. Sonia nodded yes.
"More powerful than expected! It's great!" Sonia patted her shoulder. Sonic looked at the dummy again.
"Have you done this before? That kick could destroy a bot in a split second!" he walked over to Jennifer too. She smiled wryly.
"I don't know… I was focusing a lot, maybe that did it?" she shrugged her shoulders.
"Anyway, maybe we should get to the musical practice! What d'ya say, guys?" Sonic turned to the others. Sonia and Manic sparked their medallion, only Jennifer stood back.
"Com' on, J!" Manic nodded to her medallion, "just rub the medallion!"
Jennifer rubbed the medallion, gently and stood with a transverse flute in her hands. She smiled.
"Now… that's cool!" she looked at the flute, somehow surprised. Sonic played a few tunes on his guitar.
"Ok, guys! Let's get to it! Any ideas?" he turned to them. Jennifer cleared her throat.
"I've got a suggestion… if you'd allow?"
"Go on, J!" Manic replied. Jennifer nodded and then, started playing a melody on the flute. Manic found the rhythm and joined her. Then, Sonia and finally, Sonic joined.
____SONG: Sonic Boom- from Sonic Boom CD___
JENNIFER: If you're strong
You can fly
You can reach the other side of the rainbow
MANIC: It's all right take a chance
'Cause there is no circumstance
That you can't handle (SONIA: when you use you mind)
SONIC, SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
JENNIFER: trouble keeps you runnin' faster
SONIC, SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
JENNIFER: save the planet from disaster
SONIA: From the dark, to the light
It's a SUPERSONIC flight
Gotta Keep it going
SONIC, SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
JENNIFER: trouble keeps you runnin' faster
SONIC, SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
JENNIFER: save the planet from disaster
SONIC SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
JENNIFER: spinning through a world in motion
SONIC, SONIA & MANIC: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom......
ALL: SONIC BOOM!
_______________________________
They all stopped playing and changed their instrument back to their medallions.
"Hey, J! Not bad!" Manic put a hand on Jennifer's shoulder.
"Looks like it's official! J's now a SU member!" Sonic winked. Jennifer turned to Manic, happily.
"I'm accepted?" she asked. Manic nodded yes.
"Totally!" he smiled. Jennifer's eyes wetted when she suddenly hugged Manic who stood, confused for a moment but then, hugged her back. They let go and Jennifer turned to Sonic and Sonia.
"How can I thank you? For everything! I mean, this is so… great!" she looked at Manic who had turned almost crimson in his face. Sonic and Sonia snickered.
"Hey, J! No need to thank us! But I think you've already repaid Manic!" Sonic laughed. He walked over and tapped Manic on his shoulder, "yo, Mobius to Romeo!" he laughed again as Manic rubbed his shoulder.
"I'm here!" he sneered, making everybody laugh once again. They were all cut off by a great crash coming from nearby. When they looked towards the van they saw some bots approach it from nearby, shooting a lot of trees down. Sonic turned to the others.
"Let's go, hide!" he shouted through the noise. He, Sonia and Manic quickly ran over and hid behind some bushes while Jennifer hid behind a great stump. They all watched the 'bots approach the van. Sleet and Dingo came up to them when they had surrounded the vehicle, Dingo kicked the door in and Sleet looked inside. When he seemed to find nothing he turned to Dingo and the bots, looking slightly annoyed.
"There's no one in there! They've gotta be close! Search the area and when you find them, no shooting!" he demanded. The SWATbots and Dingo started searching immediately. Jennifer looked at it all from the stump. Sleet suddenly turned, looking at the stump she was behind, strangely. She quickly ducked when Sleet rubbed his chin, "hmm, I wonder if…" he started walking towards it and Jennifer flattened against it, her heart pounding insanely while she closed her eyes, tightly.
"Sleet! Over here!" Dingo suddenly shouted. When Jennifer looked out from her hide again, Sleet was paying attention to something else. She breathed out a sigh of relief, and looked at the bushes where Sonic and the others were hiding. Her heart was in her throat when she saw SWATbots had surrounded it closely. She watched as Sonic suddenly jumped up, grabbing Sonia and Manic, ready to speed away but the SWATbots aimed at them, and they were forced to put their hands in the air. Sleet walked over to them, grinning evilly.
"Well, well, well! The Royal Siblings!" he looked at the SWATbots again, "we'll continue looking for the human after roboticizing these brats! Let's see…" he looked the three over. When his eyes reached Manic, his smile grew. "Bring out the portable roboticizer!" he demanded. Some SWATbots put up some sort of chamber and Sleet nodded to Manic, "we'll start with Manic!" he looked at Dingo. Dingo scratched his head.
"Ehh…"
"Pick him up and put him in the roboticizer, muffin brain!" Sleet shouted. Dingo quickly picked Manic up and started walking towards the roboticizer.
"You don't…" Sonic stepped forward, but was stopped by the 'bots.
"I don't what, rodent?! Tell me what you can do about it!" Sleet turned away from Sonic, to Manic who was now in the roboticizer, kicking the glass dome, franticly. Jennifer's heart skipped several beats.
"Activate roboticization in…"
She knew she had to do something… she just didn't know what.
"3…2…1…"
Before she knew, she was standing in front of everybody, looking straight at the SWATbots, Sleet and Dingo.
"Star-"
"STOP!!!" she cried, making everybody turn to her, "it's not them you want, it's me! So come and get me, creep!" her voice was firm, and she looked Sleet directly into his eyes. He turned away from the roboticizer.
"The human! Get her! Everybody!" he pointed to her. The SWATbots, himself and Dingo left Sonic, Sonia and Manic and started running towards her. She stood for a moment, trying to realize what was going on. She looked at Sleet, Dingo and the SWATbots, and then, started sprinting away. Sonic and Sonia quickly freed Manic from the glass dome and he started storming after the SWATbots.
"J! WAIT!" he cried out. Sonic and Sonia looked at each other and then, followed Manic. All three of them watched as one of the SWATbots suddenly aimed at Jennifer with its laser gun. Three others did the same, and then…
She was hit by all four shots and collapsed at the same.
"JENNIFER!!! NO!!!" Manic cried from the top of his lungs, stopping. Sonic and Sonia came to his side and stopped as well. Manic stood, stunned, looking at the SWATbots, Sleet and Dingo who surrounded Jennifer. Sleet growled.
"I said NO SHOOTING! I don't wanna be in your shoes when Robotnik finds out she's dead!"
The last word sent a shiver down Manic's spine.
"NO!!!" he suddenly shouted, running towards the bots. They all looked up, just in time to see him attack. He destroyed the bots, one by one, attacking like an angry tiger. Sleet stepped back.
"H-h-he's gone INSANE! Everybody! RETREAT!" he shouted, already on his way back to the forest. Dingo and the rest of the bots quickly ran from Manic as well, leaving him, exhausted. He turned to Jennifer who still lay on the ground. He walked over to her.
"Jennifer…?" he asked, quietly. She turned her head, slowly.
"Manic… I'm sorry…" she fought to get the words out. Manic knelt down beside her.
"Don't talk, please… listen, we'll get ya back to the van, you'll be alright!" he smiled, though, worried, taking her hand, "J, I didn't want this to happen! Really!" he let a tear run down his cheek.
"Don't blame yourself… it's not your fault. You couldn't do anything, I'm just glad you guys are safe!" she smiled wryly. Sonic and Sonia quickly came to Manic's side.
"She's alive! We've gotta get her back to the van and get a doc, quick!" Manic turned to them. They looked at each other and then, nodded yes.
"I'll carry her…" Sonic quickly picked her up and Manic ran ahead. Sonic and Sonia followed and when they got inside they put Jennifer down in the guest-bunk.
"J, you're gonna be alright! I promise! I won't let you die! Not after everything I've been putting you through!" Manic sat down by the bunk, taking her hand while Sonic and Sonia stood beside him. Jennifer shook her head no.
"Manic, I knew something like this could happen! But I was ready to take a chance, and… this was what happened… it's not your fault at all." She looked at Sonic and Sonia too, "I just hope you guys are able to accomplish everything… find Aleena and get rid of Robotnik… I'm sure it'll happen too!" she nodded to them, "thanks to all of you for caring." She closed her eyes. Manic bit in his lip.
"Jennifer, don't… please…" no response. Sonia burst out in tears, Sonic fought his tears and Manic just stared at Jennifer.
"Why isn't she breathing?! She needs a doctor!" he turned to Sonic. Sonic sank the lump he had in his throat and put a hand on Manic's shoulder.
"Manic…" he quietly said, "it's too late… she's dead."
Manic stared at Sonic for a moment. Then at Jennifer for several seconds. Suddenly, he screamed, holding Jennifer and then, burst out into tears.
"I didn't want this to happen! Really! I tried to save her… I WANTED to save her!" he shook his head, "she… was killed because of me… because she saved me from being roboticized!!!" he cried out, "why can't I do things right?! I KILLED her!"
Sonic shook his head no.
"Manic… she saved us all, but… Manic, bro, it's not your fault!" he put a hand on his shoulder.
"We could've saved her! Before she was shot!" Manic took Jennifer's hand, "I didn't want it to happen… really!" he bit in his lip.
"Bro, I… I'm sorry, but there's nothing any of us could've done…" Sonic sighed, "listen… we'll get to the HQ tomorrow, so let's burry her there… it's the best thing we can do, alright?"
"NO!!! We can still try the medallions! It'll work, I'm sure!" Manic took Jennifer's medallion off her neck and held it tight for a moment. Sonia shook her head no.
"Manic, never use it on a dead person… maybe it'll bring Jennifer back to life, but it could also kill us… maybe even kill Jennifer again afterwards… I'm sorry, but we can't do it!" she fought the tears. Manic closed his eyes.
"She paid her life for ours, we have to risk something too! We owe her our lives!" he tightened his grip on Jennifer's medallion.
"Manic… we can't, we could kill her again! The chances that medallion power is working on a dead person are very small! We simply can't risk it! Besides, do you think Jennifer would want us to do this? Die for her?! We can't do it." Sonic shook his head. Manic fell silent, just staring at Jennifer.
"Ok…"
Later on, in the evening, none of the three siblings said anything when they went to bed. Manic lay in his bunk, listening from any signs of sleep coming from his siblings. After three hours or so, he was finally sure they were asleep. He sat up in his bunk and looked over at Jennifer.
"I said you'll be alright… and you will, J." he whispered. She had closed eyes and her hands were folded. He was almost convinced that she was only asleep, but inside he knew better. He got out of his bunk and walked over to Sonic. He was snoring, loud. Manic quickly snatched his medallion. Sonic groaned in his sleep, making Manic freeze on the spot. Sonic rolled over, and continued snoring. Manic breathed out a sigh of relief. He walked over to Sonia and took her medallions too. She still slept when he left her and walked over to Jennifer, "ok… I hope Sonic forgives easily… but I owe you my life, I can't just let this happen!" he picked her up and started walking out of the van. When he got outside, he walked a distance away from the van and put Jennifer down. He knelt down beside her, sighing heavily.
"Now or never…" he placed Sonic, Sonia and Jennifer's medallions in a circle around both of them and held his own medallion and Jennifer's hand. Then, he closed his eyes and started concentrating. After a moment, all of the medallions and Jennifer started glowing, making Manic hope even more. He focused even more, and everything started getting black. Jennifer suddenly sat up, and everything stopped glowing. She looked around for a moment, and then at Manic who had still closed eyes.
"M-Manic?! What…" she looked around again, "I'm alive!" she examined her hands, "but… uhh… who used my head for soccer ball?"
Manic opened his eyes, looking at her.
"J, it worked!!!" he cried. Jennifer looked at him.
"What? Was it all a dream… I mean, I was shot, wasn't I…?" she looked confused. Manic smiled.
"You were… but… I couldn't let it happen, I owed you… so, against Sonic's will, I used the medallions…" he cleared his throat. Jennifer smiled back.
"Used the medallions… but isn't that dangerous on a dead person?"
"I couldn't let it happen, J! I owe you my life, but… yeah, it's dangerous… that's why Sonic didn't allow it." He looked down at the ground. Jennifer's smile widened.
"Manic… I… you're the best!" she suddenly leaned over and gave him a fast kiss on the cheek followed by a hug, making Manic turn all crimson, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hey… it was nothing!" he looked away from her, still grinning, sheepishly.
"You saved my life! Never walk towards the light in the end of the tunnel, eh?" she laughed. Manic rubbed his cheek.
"Yeah… by the way, I forgot to say… thank you. For saving my life." He picked Jennifer's medallion up and put it in her hand.
"I'm just glad you guys are still alive… I didn't know what to do when you were almost roboticized, it was… well, I had to do something." She sighed. Manic nodded.
"I know what you mean… it's-"
"Manic what are you doing out at a time like this?!" Manic was cut off by a voice coming from nearby. Both he and Jennifer turned to see Sonic, "and what the heck are-" he was cut off by his own gasp when he noticed Jennifer, "J?!" he almost cried out.
"Sonic, did you-" Sonia came to his side, and just stood, staring at Jennifer, "oh my gosh! Jennifer! You're alive!" she stormed over and gave Jennifer a sisterly hug, making the human look more surprised than ever.
"I am… thanks to Manic." She nodded to Manic. Both Sonic and Sonia turned to him.
"Manic! I thought we told you it was dangerous!" Sonic tapped his foot. Manic looked down at the ground.
"I know…" then, he looked up, lowering his eyebrows, "but I was willing to take a chance to save Jennifer… and, hey, she's alive, I'm alive, right? I had to do this! She saved my life!" he took Jennifer's hand. Sonic looked at Sonia.
"Of course! That's the Manic we know, the Manic we respect!" Sonia winked.
"She's right! Besides, maybe we should've been the ones who'd be ready to take a chance to save you too, Jennifer… looks like we owe you an apology!" Sonic held out his hand to Jennifer. She shook her head no.
"No… you don't. Listen, I was just glad you guys are safe! I did my part… and I owe Manic a lot… for saving my life." She pushed Sonic's hand away, "no need to apologize." She picked Sonic and Sonia's medallions up "I guess these are yours." She got up and gave them to Sonic and Sonia. Manic got up as well.
"You're still gonna stay… aren't you?" he asked, hesitating.
"Of course… if your siblings still allow?" Jennifer looked at Sonic and Sonia.
"Hey, you're welcome! Freedom fighter in training, then?" Sonic winked.
"Freedom fighter in training! A lot of training!" Jennifer laughed. Sonia took her medallion.
"And band member!" she gave the medallion to Manic who put it around Jennifer's neck.
"Welcome to the resistance, J." he stepped back. Jennifer bit in her lip, trying to hold the tears of joy back.
"Thanks… but… aww!" she suddenly ran to Manic, hugged him and gave him a kiss, this one, longer than the other, on his cheek. He looked at her, first shocked and confused, but then, smiled, blushing.
"I-I-I-I… geez!" he put his arms on the back of his head, grinning, "it was nothing!" he looked down at the ground. Sonic and Sonia snickered.
"Well, looks like we're gonna get along great…
None of them noticed a figure nearby. Watching them all, waiting. Waiting for the day she could reunite with them, the day Mobius would be free.
"Good job, my children… I love you."
END!
Ooooohkaaaay, I hope you liked this… I enjoyed writing it even though it took a long time… geez… but hey, it's twice as big as the last updated version. I'm working hard on rewritten versions of the other stories too ("Girl Power!" and "Family Secrets") plus some other stories (including a new series of stories I've decided to write. I'll tell you about these later). Oh, if you want info on new/upcoming stories, a pic/profile of Jennifer Scott or something else, please, e-mail me at sonicfriends_forever@start.com.au … thanks for reading this!
Best wishes, JANNI!!!