Chapter 9: Aftermath of an imperfect night
Sonic's first priority when he returned to Knothole was to visit Sally. A crowd had gathered around her hut, and as they saw Sonic they parted to let him through.
The bed on which Sally was sleeping upon was illuminated with a single lamp. Around the bed stood Queen Alicia, Prince Elias and the King himself. Dr. Quack was standing in a corner with Rotor, Bunnie, Sir John and Antoine.
"What happened, Sonic? What happened to my daughter?" he asked in a low, strained voice. The old King had been greatly worried when he was reported to that Antoine had brought his daughter home in bloodstained clothing. Antoine had called for Dr. Quack and then carried Sally to her hut. He had given a hasty summary of the horrible incident when the King arrived with his family and Sir John.
Sonic looked sadly at Sally, lying on the bed.
"A long story, your Highness."
Sonic related the story: the warning from Robotnik, the plans he had made, and the date that was rudely interrupted as the Dome exploded when the missile hit it.
"The moment the missile hit the Dome, I dived to cover Sally, felt something cut into my back, then blacked out. When I woke up, Tails and Lazer were standing by me. Then, Robotnik jeered at us, and he escaped when I shredded his submarine. He was the one that had shot the missile at us."
Shock registered on everyone else's face except Antoine's.
"You saved my daughter, and she will recover. For that I am grateful. I can't believe that Robotnik has come back, after almost two years in hiding…" the King said. Sonic spoke to the doctor.
"Dr. Quack, will she be all right?"
"No need for worry. Little bruises here and there. You may want see her in the morning."
"Good."
Sonic began to walk out of the hut.
"Sonic! Where y'all going?" Bunnie asked. He did not turn to face the company.
"Someplace where I can be alone," he muttered in reply. He raced out of the hut into the night.
About half an hour later, Tails arrived home with the Tornado. He parked it in a secure place then entered the hut to tell his side of the story.
"So, that's what really happened," the King said, sighing deeply. He was not pleased with the outcome of the night. He should have told Sir John to follow them! But Sally was safe. Nothing else mattered.
"Does anyone know where Sonic went?"
"Somewhere where he could be alone, he said," Rotor replied.
"Poor guy. He's been through a lot tonight; his date being messed up and all… did he say what the date was really about?"
"No, he didn't. What?" the Prince asked.
"Good, as long as he didn't tell you. It'll be best for Sally if she doesn't know."
Tails left. The King looked down tenderly at his sleeping child. She's so young, he thought. Why must she experience those horrible incidents? He knew that he could not persuade her to stay away from danger, for she was a Freedom Fighter. He thought about the return of Robotnik. What could be done?
The Freedom Fighters around and within the hut gradually dispersed. The King and Queen stayed behind to watch over their daughter, talking quietly to one another. The lamplight flickered upon the face of Sally, sleeping fitfully. She would eventually awaken, and remember that imperfect night…
The moon cast its dim light upon the lone figure standing by the Lake of Rings. Sonic was standing there, filled with anger at the unfairness of it all. In his mind's eye he saw the events of the night over and over again. Why did it have to end that way? Why did Sally have to be wrapped up in this? He had no concern for anyone except her, the one he loved. She had seen things that no person should ever witness in their lifetime, and yet she persisted. He wished that something could be done to make up for the date gone terribly wrong. He thought of Robotnik, and his increasing power. He had made it obvious tonight that he was ready to regain his hold of tyranny over Mobius. He had to be stopped all over again. He looked into the waters of the Lake and thought about what should be done.
On the other end of the Lake, Lazer alighted on the roof, silently opened the skylight of his hut and slipped inside. He understood perfectly the thoughts that were percolating in Sonic's head at that moment: the blue hedgehog would want revenge for the great injustice that he had endured, and especially would he want to avenge Sally. Years ago, he had felt what Sonic was feeling now. He closed the skylight and collapsed into bed, kicking off his spiked shoes. Damned Robotnik! He had not only destroyed an entire civilization, but also wanted to meddle in the private lives of Freedom Fighters. If only I could have killed him so long ago, Lazer thought grimly, the world would be such a better place… he rolled over in his bed. So far he had been able to honour the wish of his father. How much longer before he finally broke under pressure, and killed someone? The failure of his duty tonight troubled him, but he would try to forget it, and get some sleep. However, he was sure that Sonic would not sleep tonight.
Ancient Walkers, give Sonic and Sally strength. You work in mysterious ways, and I am a mere carrier of your Chaos Emeralds, but I also need your reassurance…
The strike must be done quickly, and very soon, Sonic thought, before Robotnik regained his former strength… Yes, very soon…
I can't have a normal life until
he is put out of the picture permanently. No one on Mobius can have peace until
he is destroyed…
In the gloomy tower of Robotropolis, Robotnik crossed his legs on the chair and formulated his own plans. The blue rodent would attack him soon, he decided. Either tonight or the next week, and it would be a difficult problem to solve. His friends would all join him in the attack, he knew. Certain measures had to be taken, and he must gather his forces for the reckoning. Factors to consider, strategies to be created… he was not going to sleep tonight, either.
**********END**********
Thank you for reading my story. I apologize if any part of this fanfiction has misleading information on the Freedom Fighters. Keep in mind that this took place about four years in the future, and that many things had changed. Did you enjoy reading this fanfic of mine? If so, please review it. The gesture will be greatly appreciated.
-The author, LazerTH.