Chapter 4 – The Reality of Truth

"ARGH!" cried an orange fox as he flew over the city.

He clenched his fists and snarled to himself.

"That cursed girl! Of all the times she could interrupt!"

He closed his eyes for a second.

"No matter. I will deal with her after I check on things."

He opened his eyes and smiled at the horizon.

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A fuzzy white light appeared in the darkness. It gradually got bigger until it filled his entire vision. After a few seconds the light started to change. It became different colours and forms started to take shape.

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The orange fox slowly blinked his eyes open and moaned slightly. He slowly moved his eyes from one side to the other.

"What………..the? Where am I?" he said slowly.

"In a hospital bed in the Royal Palace." came a reply.

The fox groggily looked for the source. Eventually a blue hedgehog came into view. The fox suddenly remembered and stiffened. His eyes came more into focus as he looked around nervously. Around him stood Sonic, Sally, Knuckles, Espio and Amy.

Tails curled up slightly and looked at them sideways.

"It's ok Tails." said Sally, "We know the truth now."

Tails seemed to relax slightly.

"Then you believe me?" he said quietly.

Suddenly Amy leaped forwards and threw her arms around him. She kissed him on the cheek.

"Oh Tails. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I spoke to you as I did. I….we didn't know. I'm sorry!" she wailed.

Tails nervously and slowly brought his arms up to hug her. Amy let out a quiet sob. Tails slowly turned to look at Sonic.

"Sonic? What is going on?" he asked slowly.

Sonic slowly explained what had happened while he was unconscious.

"I can't believe it." said Tails slowly after Sonic had finished.

"Nether can we. We're sorry Tails." said Sally.

Tails looked at her and propped himself up in the bed.

"Don't be. We have bigger problems now."

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Bunnie slowly shook her head as she came round. She looked around her. She was in a dark room with a large metal door at one end. She became aware of a warm feeling around her wrists and ankles. She looked down. She was suspended a few feet above the ground. A strange electric field surrounded her ankles. She looked up to find the same field was around her wrist. It was then that she noticed Miles bound to the wall a few meters away.

"Miles!" she cried.

She tried to pull her hands free but to no avail.

"It's useless to try to escape." came a voice.

Bunnie quickly looked over towards the door. A figure of a fox stood there. He walked into the room with a smile.

"Those binds are quite secure." he continued.

"Who are you?!" said Bunnie angrily.

"So you've figured out I'm not Tails. A little late don't you think?"

"Ah don't care. Who are you?! And what have you done to Miles?"

"Oh he is fine…….for now."

"Why you……."

Bunnie tried to pull herself free again.

"Oh stop it." said the fox slightly irritated, "You cannot get free."

"We'll see about that!"

Bunnie continued to struggle.

"Hmm….pathetic."

Bunnie stopped struggling and stared at him. Her eyes flared with anger.

"You'll never get away with this!" she cried.

"Oh but you see I will. I already have you and him. Next I think I'll bring you some company."

"Why you scum!" cried Bunnie and spat at him.

The fox wiped the spit of his face and growled at her.

"When the time comes, I will enjoy killing you! Along with all your friends!"

With that the fox turned and left the room.

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"So are we all clear?" asked Sonic.

"You betcha!" said Tails heavily.

"Ready when you are." said Knuckles and Espio together.

"Ok then that the plan." said Sonic.

The four of then plus Sally stood in the main hall of the palace. Tails had come round fully a few hours back. Thankfully the drug hadn't had much effect on him.

"Right Sonic. Let's go." said Tails.

He started to walk forward when there was a yell from behind him.

"Wait!"

Tails turned to look as did everyone else. Amy was sliding down the banister of the stairs. She leaped off and ran over to them.

"I thought I had missed you. I'm coming too."

"Amy we've been over this." said Sonic, "You can't do anything with that injury."

"I can too!" protested Amy, "We Acolytes are very strong!"

"Yes whatever but you're still staying here!" insisted Tails.

Amy just gave frustrated groan.

"You can help me with the kids." suggested Sally, "Beside with Tails gone someone needs to look after Lavender."

Amy turned to look at her and rolled her eyes.

"Ok! Fine! I'll stay here. But next time….."

"Yes ok." interrupter Sonic.

Amy sighed and walked off.

"Oh brother." said Sally as she turned to follow her.

"Some things never change." smiled Tails.

"Come on then. Let's go." said Knuckles barging past, "We have to find that other Tails."

"Too right Knuckles." agreed Sonic taking out Nicole, "Sal thought she would come in handy. Yo Nicole!"

"Sonic my main hedgehog."

"Hi Nicole. Can you scan for a second set of Tails' bio signs?"

"Working."

Nicole went silent for a few seconds. Sonic started tapping his foot. He hated waiting.

"Scanning complete." said Nicole finally, "No signs detected."

"Hmm…..he must be outside of Nicole's range. Guess we just set off and keep scanning." said Sonic.

"Yeah guess so." said Tails.

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An orange fox flew across the Aquatic Ruins. He smiled to himself.

"Now to deal with that girl!" he growled.

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"No bio signs detected." said Nicole.

"This just get better and better." groaned Sonic.

Himself and the others had spent hours searching the areas around Mobotropolis. They were now trying further afield but still having no luck. It was starting to get dark now. Sonic sighed.

"We may have to stop until tomorrows." he said gloomily.

"But what about Bunnie and Miles?!" urged Tails.

"If that other Tails hasn't killed them yet they can survive another night. Besides Nicole's scanning range is very limited. We need to find a way to increase it." said Sonic.

"I guess you're right Sonic." said Tails with a sigh.

"Come on then. Let's get back to Mobotropolis." said Knuckles.

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An orange fox raised a small gun and fired. The guard dropped to the ground with a slight scream. The fox walked past his body and continued on. He had landed in the Royal Gardens a few minutes ago and had already reached the palace. He put his hands up and threw open the doors. Inside several guards turned to see what was happening. They didn't have time to react as the fox fired again.

"This is getting too easy. There's no fun left." said the fox as he walked on.

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"But I'm not tired mum!" moaned Alicia.

"Now Alicia, you know when bedtime is." said Sally.

"But I'm not tired. And where is Miles? I haven't seen him for ages."

Sally went quiet and swallowed a lump in her throat. She closed her eyes for a second and then looked at Alicia.

"He went on a trip with Bunnie." she said with a nod.

Alicia looked at her with a puzzled face.

"Mother?" she asked quietly, "What's wrong?"

"Oh it's nothing dear. Now you go and get ready for bed." replied Sally giving Alicia a little nudge.

Alicia slowly turned away and walked off. Sally dropped her head and sighed.

"Miles." she said quietly.

Just then Amy came into the room holding Lavender. Sally looked up and snapped herself out of her trance. Amy caught it though. She looked at her with a worried expression.

"Don't worry Sally. Miles will be ok." she said slowly.

"I just can't help thinking about him. It's been nearly two days since that fake Tails took him away. I'm…..I'm….."

Sally couldn't continue. She fell into silence and sniffed. Amy put Lavender down and went over to her. She put an arm around her. Just then Sally's comm unit beeped. She composed herself for a second and then answered it.

"Yes?" she said.

"Your highness. We have an intruder in the palace it's………."

The comm unit suddenly went blank and started to fizz. Sally was instantly alert.

"Hello?! HELLO?!" she screamed into the unit, "Who is it?!"

Just then the doors to the room flew open to reveal an orange fox.

"TAILS!" cried Sally and Amy together.

"Yes but not the one you think!" said the fox as he raised a small object and fired.

Sally and Amy dived to different sides as the shots flew past them. Sally rolled behind a large status and Amy took cover behind a chair.

"Very good. I was just testing your reaction there." said the fox.

"Mother?!" came a cry.

"Oh no Alicia!" said Sally to herself.

Just then a small squirrel entered the room and froze.

"Tails?!" she cried.

"Alicia! RUN! GET OUT OF HERE!" cried Sally.

The fox turned to face Alicia as Alicia turned on the spot. The next events seemed to happen in slow motion to Amy. Alicia started to run as the fox fired at her. Sally screamed and leaped out from behind her hiding spot. The shot hit her as she dived into their path. She was sent tumbling to the floor. Alicia stopped and turned round.

"MOTHER?!" she cried thought a face of tears.

"Alicia……….run….." Sally managed to say before collapsing.

Alicia turned to run but was hit in the back by another set of shots. She fell to the floor on her front and didn't get up.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" cried Amy almost jumping out of her cover.

"Oh yes little girl. And now it's your turn." said the fox turning to face the chair where Amy was hiding.

He looked at the gun for a moment and flicked a switch.

"I won't go down so easily!" cried Amy.

"Oh they aren't dead little girl. Simply knocked out. However, for you I'll make an exception."

The fox raised the gun and fired again. Amy saw it coming and dived out from behind the chair and landed behind a pillar. The shot hit the chair and blew it apart.

"You're quick, I'll give you that." said the fox, "But you have a weakness."

The fox threw a quick glance over to where Amy had put Lavender. He raised his gun and made ready to fire.

"NOOOOOO!" cried Amy again as she leaped from her hiding spot. She realised her mistake instantly. The fox quickly spun back to face her and fired. The shot was slightly off and hit her left arm. Amy screamed and fell to the floor. The fox walked over to her. He smiled.

"I told you. Now little girl YOU will die."

The fox raised the gun again and fired three shots at her. They all hit her in the chest and Amy stopped moving. The fox looked back to Sally and Alicia.

"Now to get back to the station."

He gave a small chuckle as he walked off.

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Nicole suddenly started bleeping. Sonic took her out.

"Nicole what is it?" he said.

"Bio signs detected Sonic." replied Sonic.

Sonic stopped and stared at her. The four of them where just getting close to Mobotropolis now.

"Where Nicole? Display hologram." said Sonic quickly.

They watched as a plan view of the city appeared in mid air and a small red dot started flashing. It was moving at some speed across the city away from the palace.

"Nicole. Track his path." said Sonic.

A small yellow line appeared on the map.

"Current flight plan suggests he is heading for the Aquatic Ruins." replied Nicole.

"What are we waiting for?" cried Tails as he made to follow.

"Wait Tails. Nicole extrapolate backwards." said Sonic.

There was a pause and another line, this time in blue, appeared on the map. It led straight to the palace.

"Oh god!" said Knuckles.

"Everyone grab on. It's juice time." said Sonic.

The three of them grabbed onto Sonic's arms and he shot off into the city. About a minute later Sonic skidded to a halt at the entrance to the palace. The doors were wide open and a number of guards lay lifeless on the ground. Sonic shot inside and stopped in the main foyer. Everyone let go.

"Sonic what do we do?" asked Knuckles.

Sonic was too busy to answer.

"Nicole. Locate Sally's bio signs!" he said quickly.

"No signs found." replied Nicole.

"Try Alicia!" urged Sonic getting worried.

"No signs detected."

"Amy?"

"Bio signs located." replied Nicole.

Tails' eyes widened

"WHERE?!" cried Sonic.

"Secondary reception room, second level."

Tails suddenly turned and ran from the room. Sonic, Knuckles and Espio followed quickly. Tails headed up a flight of stairs and took a left. He ran down a corridor and then barged into a room on the right. He stopped dead. The room was in complete disarray. Several statues had bits missing, a large chair was in piece all over the place and there were a number of scorch marks in various places.

The rest of the group arrived behind Tails. Tails stepped into the room and looked around frantically. He saw Lavender lying in a chair to one side. He ran over to her and picked her up.

"Amy? AMY?!" he called.

There was a soft moan from behind a pillar. Tails heard it and ran over. He screamed. Amy was lying on her back on the floor, her head slumped to one side. Tails handed Lavender to Sonic and ran to her side. He cradled her in his arms.

"Amy? Amy speak to me!" he cried.

Sonic, Knuckles and Espio arrived behind him. Amy stirred slightly and one of her eyes blinked open.

"Tails?" she said slowly.

"Amy!" cried Tails, "What happened?"

"Your……counterpart………attack…….took Sally…………and Alicia." Amy said very slowly, her voice hardly audible.

"Amy?!" cried Tails.

"Warning." interupted Nicole, "Bio signs fading."

"Tails………I'm sorry." said Amy.

"Amy. You're not going to die." wept Tails.

"I'm Sorry." said Amy again, "I……..I………..love you."

Amy's eye slowly closed again and her body went limp.

"Amy?" said Tails quietly, "AMY?! Come back. Please, come back."