Chapter 4 – History Revealed

Sally groaned and slowly opened her eyes. All she saw was the floor. But it wasn't the same floor she had fallen on. She slowly propped herself up on one arm and looked around. She was sitting on the floor of one of the old palace cells. In the cell with her was Bunnie. She gasped and edged over to her. She shook her and slowly Bunnie came round.

"Huh? What the hoha happened?" she said slowly.

"Bunnie, are you ok?" asked Sally nervously.

"Ah think so Sally girl. Where are we?"

"One of the old palace cells." said Sally looking around. It was then that she noticed Charles lying in a cell opposite them.

"Charles? Charles you alright?" she asked.

Charles slowly woke up and looked at her.

"What the? How'd I get here?" he said.

"I don't know. The last thing I remember was being hit in the head by a bit of debris and then waking up here." said Sally as she looked into the other cells.

Her face suddenly fell.

"What is it Sally?" asked Bunnie.

"I can't see Tails or the kids in any of the cells" panicked Sally.

Bunnie and Charles looked too.

"Maybe they got out." suggested Charles.

"I don't think so." said a voice.

Sally, Bunnie and Charles spun to see the owner of the voice. There in the entrance to the cell block stood a grey fox. He swished his tail to the side as he walked towards there cell.

"As I was saying. I doubt they got out. My ships would have seen them and our search of the palace has not turned up no…..live bodies apart from these." said the fox as he waved his arm at the cells.

Sally's eyes filled with anger and sadness.

"Who are you?!" she demanded.

"You are in no position to make demands little queen but I will tell you. I am Sarath."

There faces fell.

"Ah so you've heard of me. Good. I hate introductions."

Just then Sonic and Espio appeared behind Sarath. Sally's eyes boiled.

"SONIC! You no good stinking traitor!"

"Quiet squirrel!" glared Sonic, "My Lord the palace and city is now secure."

"Very good. Report back to station." replied Sarath.

"As you wish." said Sonic as he and Espio left.

Sally glared after him.

"You just don't understand do you little queen." smirked Sarath.

"What do you mean?!" said Sally glaring at him.

"He is as much a traitor as you are."

"What?"

Sarath removed his amulet and twirled it around his finger.

"You know what this is? Probably not. It is a little family heirloom of mine. It is called the Crescent Star. You see a long time ago my family delved in the dark arts. Long before my time of course but they stopped, mores the pity. They did leave a few things behind though. This was one of them. It lay dormant for centuries until I found it. You see it alters a person brainwave patterns and makes them……very suggestible."

Sarath smirked and Sally's face fell.

"You understand then. Well it will soon be your turn. Enjoy you own life for as long as you have it."

He laughed and walked off leaving the three of them in silence.

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Tails was getting tired. He had been flying for some time now and he had to carry Alicia and Miles with him. He closed his eyes for a second.

"TAILS!" cried Miles.

Tails's eyes shot open with a start. He had almost fallen asleep.

"I've got to land." he said.

He flew lower and landed beside a lake. The lake had a small forest running round its eastern shore.

"We'll be safe in there until tomorrow." he said, "Come on we have to find some shelter."

"Tails, I'm scared." said Alicia.

Tails placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry Alicia. As soon as we get to Little Planet we'll figure out a way to save your mum and dad."

Alicia looked at him. Her large soft eyes welled with tears. She broke down on him and cried.

"I'm scared Tails." she wept.

"It's ok Alicia. It's ok." comforted Tails and Alicia snuggled into him.

Miles was standing nearby looking completely lost. He slowly walked up to Tails and Tails put his other arm around him.

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Night fell on Mobotropolis or Sarapolis as it had been renamed now. In the shadows near the palace a shadow was moving. It ducked from one shadow to another careful not to alert anyone. It slowly climbed a wall and jumped onto the roof of a nearby building.

"I've got to get out of the city." the figure said to himself as he brushed his claw against his dreadlocks.

He quietly moved out of the shadows and jumped into the air, folding out his arms and gliding off.

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Sally sat on the bed in her cell. Earlier both Bunnie and Charles had been taken away by Sarath's guards. She hung her head and looked at her knees. Her white dress she loved so much was nothing more than rags now. It was torn all over and was stained her and there with dirt and a bit of blood. A tear leaked from her eye. How had all this happened? Why was it happening? What had they done to deserve it? She raised her head and looked at the ceiling and let out a quiet sob.

Just then she heard footsteps and two guards appeared at her cell. They opened the door and walked in. Sally curled herself up in a ball on the bed in a vain attempt to make them leave her alone. It didn't work. They grabbed her arms roughly and dragged her out of the cell. She was weak from crying and the bruises she had but she still struggled against them. They took her up to the throne room and opened the door. Inside Sarath was sitting on what had once been Sonic throne. Beside him stood Sonic, Espio, Bunnie and Charles. Sarath turned to look at her as the guards stopped and let her go.

"You are dismissed." said Sarath and the guards walked off.

Sally watched them leave and then spun to face Sarath. She looked from him to each of her friends in turn. They each glared back at her not saying a word. She looked back at Sarath.

"What have you done to them?" she demanded.

"I told you. I have made them very suggestible. Suggestible to my rule that is. And now it is your turn."

Sarath stood up and slowly walked towards her. Sally began to back away.

"I will need a queen by my side. And you will do very nicely." said Sarath evilly.

"Never!" screamed Sally as she darted to the left and hid behind a pillar.

"Oh come on." teased Sarath, "You'll enjoy it. Honest."

"Never." screamed Sally again and ran towards the back of the throne room.

Sarath didn't know the palace like she did. If she could get to the secret passage at the back of the throne room she would be safe. Just then there was a flash in front of her and Sonic stood there.

"I don't think so." he said slowly opening his eyes.

He dashed forwards and grabbed Sally dragging her back into the throne room where Espio grabbed her. She fought against the grip holding her but it was no use. Sarath came up to her.

"Well done. You almost made it. But I'm afraid I hold all the aces here." he said as he reached for his amulet, "And now it is time for you to join us."

His amulet began to glow.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" cried Sally as the light hit her. She felt herself become light in the head and then the feeling passed. She looked at Sarath with a smile.

"My Lord. I hope you are well."

"Very well. Very well indeed." laughed Sarath.

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Tails woke as the first rays of light broke the horizon. He moaned softly as he slowly opened his eyes. For a second he forgot where he was and then suddenly remembered. He looked around quickly. Miles and Alicia were both snuggled up next to him like they had been the previous night. Tails sat up slowly so as not to wake them and walked down to the lake side. He splashed some water on his face to wake himself up. He turned around and walked back to the kids. He gently nudged them.

"Hey kids. Time to wake up."

They both groaned.

"Not now mum. Let me sleep some more." said Alicia softly.

"Kids it's time to wake up." said Tails again.

Slowly Miles and Alicia woke up. They looked around a bit puzzled and then remembered also. Alicia burst into tears straight away closely followed by Miles. Tails went up to them and hugged them both trying to soothe them.

"Come on kids. We have to get to Little Planet." he said.

After a minute or so Alicia and Miles stopped crying and looked at him.

"That's better. Com on let's g……"

"So there you are!" said a voice.

Tails suddenly leapt in front of Miles and Alicia, pushing them behind him and clenched his fists.

"Who's there?!"

"I think you know." said the voice as someone emerged from the trees.

"Knuckles!" cried Tails relaxing, "Its ok kids he's with us….I think."

"You're right Tails."

"Where have you been?"

"I was in the infirmary when all hell broke loose. I was trapped in there by fallen debris. No-one could get in to check if anyone was in there so that Sarath guy must have ignored it. I managed to break through the wall later that night and then found my way here. I was heading back to the Floating Island when I saw you guys sleeping here and thought I'd stop."

Tails looked a bit nervous for a second. He shifted his weight from foot to foot.

"Tails? What is it?" asked Knuckles.

"I've got something to tell you." said Tails slowly.

Tails explained the events Knuckles had missed including the incident with the Floating Island. Afterwards Knuckles was shocked.

"Then….then my island is…………gone?" said Knuckles slowly.

"I'm afraid so." said Tails looking at his feet.

Knuckles got up and turned away.

"Knuckles?" asked Tails.

"I'm going back to Mobotropolis." he said his eyes narrowing, "Sarath will pay for this!"

He started to walk away but Tails caught his arm.

"Knuckles! You can't! Sarath has total control of the city. And if he found you….he might………" said Tails slowly descending into silence.

Knuckles turned and looked at him. Tails was looking at his feet again and Miles and Alicia were looking out from behind him with a sad and scared expression on there faces.

"Don't go Mr Knuckles." said Alicia, "Please."

Knuckles felt himself calm down. He looked at the young squirrel and smiled. He knelt down next to her and looked at her.

"Please." she said again her eyes beginning to tremble.

Knuckles felt his heart soften to the young squirrel. He blinked slowly.

"Alright." he said, "Alright I will stay."

Alicia burst into tears again and flung herself at Knuckles hugging him.

"Thank you." she sobbed.

Tails looked up not saying anything. Finally Alicia released Knuckles and he stood up.

"Ok then Tails. What's the plan?"

"I'm not sure yet. I was heading back to Little Planet. We need to tell Amy. She might be able to help us."

"Good idea. Lets get moving."

Knuckles picked up Alicia and walked towards the lake. He leapt into the air and started gliding.

"Hold on Miles." Tails said to Miles.

He twisted his tails and took off after Knuckles.

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"My Lord, the battle group report readiness." said Sonic.

"Excellent. Give the order to proceed. Now we have taken the capital the rest of Mobius should fall like a house of cards." smiled Sarath.

"Yes my Lord." Replied Sonic as he gave the order.

The four remaining battleships slowly moved off towards the next largest city on Mobius.

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Amy was sitting in the garden in front of her house mulling on the past events. The presence she felt had grown stronger and the Time Stones had become more unstable. She wished Tails would hurry back. It had now been several days since Sonic had gone missing. Surely they still couldn't be looking for him!

She leaned back in her chair and fell asleep. She woke a few hours later when she felt someone was there. She opened her eyes to see Tails landing in a field about a hundred meters away.

"Finally." she said to herself sitting up.

It was then she noticed he was not alone. With him was Knuckles and what looked like Alicia and Miles. She bolted upright in her seat. Something was wrong, she could tell. She got up and ran to meet them.

"Tails?" she asked.

"We got problems Amy." he replied, "Big problems."

"What is it?" she asked.

"I'll explain. Come on." said Tails making for the house.

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A while later the five of them were sitting around a table in Amy's house. Miles and Alicia were sipping some hot chocolate Amy had made for them, Tails and Knuckles were sitting thinking and Amy was mulling the story over in her head.

"Sarath you say. For some reason that name seems familiar." Amy said.

"I wonder why." said Tails.

"Me too. I've never heard of him before. Oh well. What should we do Tails?"

"Why does everyone ask me? I don't know. I'm as stumped as you are." he said.

"We have to try and save the other." said Knuckles.

"Yeah that's the first thing Knuckles. We should leave as soon as possible." agreed Tails.

"Wait a minute." said Amy, "What about the kids?"

Miles and Alicia looked up from there drinks.

"Leave them with your parents. They can take care of them while we are gone." suggested Tails.

"I want to go with you." said Miles and Alicia together.

"No kids. It's too dangerous. You'll be safe here on Little Planet. At least for a while I hope." said Tails.

"So what's the plan?" asked Knuckles.

"Well Sarath probably has them walled up somewhere. He wouldn't kill them…..I hope." said Tails.

Miles and Alicia yelped.

"By them you mean Sally, Bunnie, Charles and Rotor I take it." said Knuckles.

"Yes. We know Sonic and Espio have either betrayed us or are under some sort of control so it may be hard to get them back but we should try for the others." said Tails.

"So what do we do?" asked Amy.

"I'm not sure. We should probably take it as it comes but we should go soon. I mean really soon. We must leave tonight!"

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Day was breaking the next day when three figures slowly approached what was once Mobotropolis. They stopped and hid behind a building as a patrol walked past.

"Are we ready?" asked Tails.

"Not really but we have to go." replied Amy.

"Come on you guys!" said Knuckles, "We have to get to the palace before the sun gets too high. We need the shadows."

Knuckles quickly darted across the street and hid behind another building. Tails and Amy followed him quickly.

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Sonic stood on a palace balcony in the morning sun. Next to him stood Sally, now in a new dress and surrounding him where several floating recording units. He blinked slowly.

"Are we on yet?" he asked.

"Yes sir." came a reply from the room behind him.

"Good." he said and turned to the recorders, "People of Mobius! This recording is being broadcast on all stations across the whole planet. I have some important news."

He stopped for a moment and then glared at the recorder.

"After many centuries the rightful ruler of Mobius has returned. I therefore surrender my position of king to him. I would like you all to meet Lord Sarath our new ruler."

Sonic stood aside and waved his hand behind him as Sarath walked out of the shadows. He stepped forwards and Sally joined him by his side.

"People of Mobius." said Sarath, "Today marks the first day of my new rule."

His eyes narrowed and his expression changed to an evil smile.

"I now control Mobius! Do not force me to prove it!"

Sally looked at him out of the corner of her eye and smiled. Sarath laughed and turned away. The recorders switched off and hovered after them.

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"ARGH! I'll tear that damn fox apart with my bare hands!" screamed Tails.

"Calm down Tails." urged Amy waving her hands.

"He has just declared himself ruler of Mobius and you expect me to CALM DOWN?!" cried Tails, "Oooooooh, wait until I get my hands on him!"

"Tails quiet!" growled Knuckles, "Someone might hear us!"

The three of them were walking down a narrow passage. It was one of the secret passages the palace was riddled with. They hoped Sarath didn't know about them all yet. Suddenly Knuckles stopped and spun.

"Did you hear that?!"

"What?" asked Amy.

"It sounded like footsteps. Coming from behind us."

The three of them stopped and listened. All they heard was the constant drip of water as it leaked in from the ceiling and splashed on the floor. After a minute or so Tails spoke.

"It was probably nothing." he said.

Knuckles looked suspicious for a second and then agreed.

"Come on, we have to hurry."

The three of them headed off down the corridor.

Behind them a figure stepped out of the shadows.

"Don't worry about a thing Tails. I'm here if you need me." it said and slowly followed them down the corridor.

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Sally walked down a corridor in the palace. She flung her head back and smoothed out her hair and smiled. Where had she been without Sarath. She didn't know. He was magnificent. He was completely different to Sonic and she liked it. She continued on before a sound alerted her to something.

"Psst! Sally!" said a voice.

Sally spun, eyes fixed on the sound. A small opening had appeared in the wall and out of it stuck Tails' head. Her eyes narrowed as Tails cautiously stepped out followed by Amy and Knuckles.

"Sally, thank god we found you. Come on we have to get you out of here." said Tails.

Sally just looked at him for a second and then started laughing. They all looked puzzled.

"Sally? What's so funny?" asked Amy.

"You just don't understand do you? I belong here." she said as a smile spread across her face.

"Wha? What? What do you mean?!" cried Tails.

"What I mean little fox is that I do not wish to go. I belong to him now. And he belongs to me. SARATH!"

The three of them were just about to turn and run when there was a voice behind them.

"Well well well. What do we have here Sally? A little trio of heroes coming to rescue you? I think not."

They all spun to see Sarath standing there. Tails clenched his fists and spun back to Sally.

"You! You have betrayed us like Sonic did!" he cried pointing at her and growling.

"No little fox, she has simply joined us." said Sarath.

Tails turned to see him spinning his amulet around his finger. He stepped in front of Amy to protect her.

"You're a disgrace to our species Sarath!" cried Tails.

"No little fox!" growled Sarath staring at Tails, "Freaks like you don't have a species!"

"Why you!" cried Tails as he leapt at Sarath.

Knuckles made a quick move and caught him, holding him down.

"Let me go Knuckles!" cried Tails, "LET ME GO!"

"Tails calm down! He's just trying to provoke you." growled Knuckles.

Sarath smiled at the struggling fox.

"Pathetic. Two tails! What an absolute abomination! Your parents should have destroyed you when you were born!" laughed Sarath coldly.

Tails screamed and then sobbed a little. Sally laughed at him and walked over to Sarath.

"What are we going to do with them?" she asked.

"Well let's see now. I think I'll make them into servants. Apart from the freak, he can die right here! I think I'll start with…….the girl!"

Sarath's amulet glowed and before she knew it Amy was encased in a white light. She felt dizzy and then suddenly a strong feeling emerged from inside her head. The light changed colour to a bright blue and then the light seemed to shatter and shoot off all over the place. Amy stood there looking a bit puzzled and then glared at Sarath. She finally knew what the feeling was she had felt. It emerged from inside her. It was a feeling of anger, danger and revenge. She growled for the first time in her life and clenched her fists.

"Well what do we have here?" said Sarath sarcastically, "A little Acolyte."

Tails and Knuckles both looked at Sarath in amazement as Sarath mentioned Amy's ancestors.

"And what do you know of them?!" said Amy, her quills sticking up into the air.

"So you don't even know your past? Interesting." said Sarath.

"Tell me!" cried Amy.

Tails and Knuckles looked on in astonishment. They had never seen Amy act like this before. She was so determined and angry it scared them.

"Ok I will. You do at least deserve to know before I destroy you!" said Sarath.

He blinked and then continued.

"During my reign many centuries ago I had control over all of Mobius. Apart from one small section. For all my efforts I couldn't conquer…..Little Planet."

Amy gasped.

"Yes that's right. The Acolytes were immune to my amulets power and all of my invasion attempts had failed. They were beginning to annoy me."

Amy smiled. She always knew the Acolytes had been strong. Sarath saw the expression.

"You smile now but wait until you hear the rest!" he growled, "After many unsuccessful invasion attempts I finally decided that wasn't the way to precede. I had my scientist research the ancient library and finally found there weakness. As the Acolytes were keepers of the Time Stone I used that against then. I developed a weapon that reversed the time field around Little Planet. The Acolytes didn't stand a chance. It simply erased them from history and then I moved in. However soon after Little Planet became unstable so we retreated and left it unstuck in time."

Sarath finished and smiled. Amy was about ready to leap at him. How could she not have known?! She was a descendant of the Acolytes!

"I'll make you pay for that!" she screamed at him.

"I think not." said Sarath drawing his sword, "As I can't turn you I think I'll just kill you all and have done with it."

He started to advance on the group when suddenly there was a cry and a pale blur shot out from the secret passage. Sarath turned just in time to see two feet striking him in the head. He was sent flying across the room. There stood Max.

"MAX!" cried Tails, "What are you doing here?"

"I saw you enter the city and followed you. Figured you could use the help."

"Very kind of you." said Sarath getting up, "Now I have more people to kill."

"Tails, you guys scat! I'll take care of him." said Max.

"No Max. I'm staying too." said Tails.

"No Tails! Get out of here. NOW!"

Tails didn't have time to argue as he was pulled into the passage by Amy and Knuckles.

Max turned to Sarath and raised his fists.

"Bring it on Sarath." he said.

"Hmm…you're certainly brave. I'll give you that. Brave but foolish. You have denied me the pleasure of killing the rest of them and now you will die instead."

Sarath lunged forwards with his sword. Max jumped to the side and fell to the floor. He pushed his arms down raising him off the floor and brought his feet back. He sprung them forwards hitting Sarath in the side with a powerful strike. Sarath was sent crashing into the wall. He got up as Max jumped to his feet.

"Very impressive hare but not good enough!"

He lunged again and Max spun to side only to feel Sarath's blade dig into his side. He screamed and fell to the floor as he saw Sarath finish his move and turn to face him.

"And now we finish it." said Sarath raising his blade.

Sally laughed.

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"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!" came a scream from down the corridor.

"MAX!" cried Tails as he was dragged down the corridor by Amy and Knuckles.

The sound of Max's scream died out and all he heard was Sarath and Sally laughing evilly.

"Max." said Tails through a flood of tears.