Chapter 3 – Ulterior Motives

Alicia skidded into the Royal Library. She waved to the attendant on duty and carried on down an isle of books. She stopped at a shelf and started to pull out a book she had started a few days ago. Just then another book caught her eye. It was rather old and tatty looking. She pushed the other book back into the shelf and looked at the spine. The book was entitled "Secrets of Mobius" and had the Royal seal stamped on it. Alicia slowly started to pull it out. A layer of dust rose off the book. Alicia's nose started to twitch and she let out a loud sneeze.

"Ooh why do I have to have these allergies?" she said to herself as she pulled the book out.

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"Go Tails! Wooooooooooo!" cried Amy leaping from her seat as Tails' racer sped across the finish in first place.

Lavender was jumping around the box chanting.

"Tails won! Tails won! Tails won!" she cried.

Sonic was smiling quietly to himself.

"Very nicely done Tails." he said to himself.

Petya had gotten herself well caught up in the race and was cheering along with Amy. She slumped back into her chair.

"Is life always this exciting here?" she asked Sonic.

"Only on race days." said Sonic.

A few minutes later the racers had finished their parade lap and were slowing to a halt on their grid spots. Tails' racer slowed to a halt and several magnetic clamps rose from the tracks surface and attached to his craft. The section of race track slowly lowered into the ground and a set of metal doors closed over the hole.

"Let's go and see out champ." said Amy.

Lavender cried out and ran from the box. Amy quickly followed her as did Sonic and Petya. They headed down to the workstations. When they got there an orange fox was leaning over the cockpit.

"Well done Tails." said Amy as she entered the room.

The fox looked up and turned around. Amy stopped and groaned.

"You guessed it. Wrong fox." said T2, "Tails is over there."

He indicated towards the back of the racer as another fox stepped out.

"Does that happen often?" asked Petya quietly to Sonic.

"Oh yeah." he replied with a smile.

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"Alicia. ALICIA." called Sally.

"Over here mom." came a reply.

Sally headed for the noise. She finally found Alicia sitting at a large table reading a book.

"There you are." said Sally with a smile, "I've been looking for you everywhere. It's almost dinner time."

"Sorry mom. I must have lost track of time." said Alicia looking up from her book.

"So what you reading?" asked Sally.

Sally closed the book slightly to look at the cover. Her eyes widened. She quickly opened the book and looked at the pages Alicia had been reading. She gasped and then quickly removed the book from the table.

"Alicia. Where did you find this book?"

"Over there on that shelf." said Alicia pointing to a book shelf.

"Alicia. This book contains the secrets of Mobius. It is very important. Did anyone else see you reading it?"

"No."

"Good. Listen to me dear. Never repeat any of what you've read to anyone. And I mean anyone."

"But why?"

"Alicia. If anyone found out about these secrets then everyone on Mobius could be in danger. Do you understand?"

"Yes mother. But…….what is a Deep Power Stone? Is it pretty? Is it…."

Sally looked at her and Alicia fell silent.

"Do you understand Alicia?" she said sternly.

"Yes mother." said Alicia looking at her feet.

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"I think a little celebration is in order." said T2 as they left the grav circuit.

"What did you have in mind?" asked Tails.

"Well Knothole can really throw a great party when it's called for." smiled T2.

"Knothole?" asked Petya.

"Knothole is the old freedom fighter village." said Sonic.

"One of the nicest areas of Mobius." put in Tails.

Amy sighed.

"And the place smells like cherries." she said smiling.

"So what do you say guys?" asked T2.

"Well why not." said Tails, "I could do with a relaxing night before we go back to Little Planet."

"Sonic you coming?" asked T2.

"Why not." said Sonic with a shrug.

"I'm coming too!" cried Lavender.

"Of course." said T2.

"You coming Petya?" asked Tails.

"Of course she is!" cried T2 leaning over to whisper to Petya, "You don't want to miss this."

Petya thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Ok." she said.

"Great. Catch you all later." said T2.

He leaped into the air and headed off in the direction of Knothole.

"This should be fun." said Amy.

Lavender stared after T2.

"Dad. When are you going to teach me to do that?" she asked turning round.

Tails just gave a slight sigh and looked at the three tails trailing behind his daughter.

"Well I'm not sure." he said, "Three tails will need some co-ordination."

Lavender's three tails started to thrash around.

"You always say that." she moaned.

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It was later that night when Tails, Amy, Lavender, Sonic and Petya strolled into Knothole. The place had certainly changed. Banners were strung up and the place was alive. There was a noticeable downdraft and T2 landed next to them. He smiled broadly.

"So how do you like the place?" he asked.

"As always T2, you have excelled yourself." said Tails with a smile.

"Well come on then. Everyone is waiting." replied T2.

"Everyone?" asked Amy.

"Yep. I took the liberty of inviting Sally, Alicia, Miles, Bunnie and….."

"Hi there Sonic." cried a voice as a red echidna dropped out of the sky and landed next to Sonic, "Miss me?"

Sonic just rolled his eyes and gave Knuckles a high five.

"No." teased Sonic.

Knuckles grinned. The group moved into the village. Music was playing and the central clearing of the village was alive with people.

"Well hello sugah! I was afraid you weren't coming." cried a voice.

Tails glanced over to see Bunnie walking up with a large tray of drinks.

"You think I'd miss one of T2's parties?" replied Tails.

"Ah guess not. Care for a drink?"

"Sure." said Tails taking a glass.

He tasted it and smiled.

"Fruit cocktail and…….no alcohol. Well remembered Bunnie."

He took another glass and handed it to Lavender.

"Thanks dad." she said.

"No problem dear." he smiled.

"'Scuse me Tails. But who is this?" said Bunnie staring at Petya.

"Oh, sorry Bunnie. This is Petya. I met her last night. Petya this is Bunnie, one of my oldest friends." replied Tails.

"Pleasure." said Petya holding out her hand.

Bunnie took it and gave it a good shake.

"You're welcome sugah." she said.

Petya blushed slightly and took a glass from the tray. Soon everyone was holding a glass. T2 was looking a bit mournful.

"What's a party without a bit of alcohol?" he said to himself.

It was then that he noticed Petya kneeing down over her rucksack. She took a bottle from it and poured a small amount of the contents into her glass. She quickly replaced the bottle and stood up. It was then that she noticed T2 staring at her. She smiled feebly as he approached.

"I…..um…….hello." she said.

"What was that?" asked T2.

"That? Oh nothing."

A strong smell drifted into T2's nose. He recognized it.

"Vodka!" he said rather surprised.

"I can explain. You see….."

"Can I have a drop of that?"

Petya just stared at him for a second.

"You drink?" she said staring at him as she slowly removed the bottle again.

"Yep." replied T2 holding out his glass.

Petya poured a small amount into the glass and put the bottle away. T2 took a sip and sighed.

"Ooh that nice." he said closing his eyes.

"I didn't think you drank." said Petya.

"Tails doesn't. He's never had the taste for it and now he's got a kid he's even more reluctant to try. I do though."

T2 took another sip and sat down on the veranda of a hut. Petya sat down next to him.

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A large group of people sat around a blazing bonfire.

"So how are you Tails?" asked Sally with a happy groan.

"Oh the usual." replied Tails flicking a cherry into the air and catching it in his mouth.

"Tails stop that." said Amy.

"No." he replied.

Lavender let out a slight sigh. Amy looked down at the sleeping fox on her knee.

"I think we need to get her to bed." she said.

Tails looked at his watch.

"It's still early. We can wait a while longer." he said.

"Suppose so." replied Amy, "So have you guys all been keeping busy?"

"Well it was Tails who's been keeping me busy." said Bunnie with a smile.

"Looking after my island is a full time job." said Knuckles leaning back in his chair, "I'm lucky I could make this do."

Just then the music changed and Amy's ears pricked up.

"Oh Tails. It's our song. Come on we have to dance." she said, "Sally you wouldn't mind would you?"

"Of course not." replied Sally getting up.

She walked over to Amy and picked up Lavender off her knee. Lavender just yawned slightly and then settled back down. Sally sat down again.

"Come on then Tails." said Amy pulling him out of his seat.

Tails quickly leaned over and whispered to Sonic.

"If T2 shows up tell him to come and save me. Please!"

Tails was dragged away from the fire and into the crowd. Sonic chuckled slightly.

"Believe me Tails. It will take more than T2 to save you this time." he said.

"That's a point." said Sally, "Where is T2?"

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"I'm not…….not drunk. I'm quit fine." said T2 blinking.

Petya leaned against the back of the sofa looking at him. T2 and herself had retreated to T2's hut to have a drink and T2 had gone over the top. She was also under the impression she had too.

"Yes you are." she teased.

"No I'm not." replied T2 taking a step forwards and almost falling over, "Ok…..maybe I am."

Petya gave a small chuckle and shakily sat down in a chair. She uncorked the bottle of vodka and took another swig.

"If I can ask. What's a pretty place like you doing in a girl like this?" said T2 sitting down next to her.

Petya thought for a moment. There was something she wasn't supposed to him but right now she didn't care.

"I'm looking for something called the Great Power." she said rolling her head around her shoulders.

"Great Power? Hmm…..sound powerful. Pass me that bottle would you."

Petya handed the bottle over and continued.

"The only clue I have is this inscription on a stone tablet handed down by my father. it says, "When the two become one the path will be revealed."."

"Sounds like the Power Stone to me." said T2 taking a swig of Vodka.

"Power Stones?!" said Petya suddenly becoming alert, "What are these Power Stones?"

T2 yawned deeply.

"I'll tell you tomorrow. I'm tired." he said yawning again.

Petya was now fully alert. She grabbed T2 by the shoulder and gave him a shake.

"What are these Power Stones?" she said again getting a bit frantic.

"Gee hold on I'll tell you. There kept at a place called Drood Henge. There are two of them. You stick them together one way and there a power of good. Do it the other and you've got a power of destruction."

"Where is this Drood Henge?!" screamed Petya almost strangling T2.

"I don't know exactly. Somewhere…..somewhere to the north west about twenty miles or so."

Petya let go of T2, throwing him backwards as she did. T2 ended up lying down on the sofa snoring. Petya was staring at the wall. A few second later she got up. She grabbed her rucksack and ran from the room.

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Tails slumped into a chair and took a few deep breaths.

"I hate to say it but I enjoyed that." he said.

"Good." said Amy sitting down next to him.

"You've got a few moves there sugah." said Bunnie.

Tails smiled at her and looked around. Knuckles was somehow managing to sleep through all the noise. Lavender was awake again and bouncing around. Sonic and Sally were missing.

"Yo Bunnie. Where'd Sonic and Sally go?" asked Tails.

"They went back to Mobotropolis. You should probably be going too." replied Bunnie.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaah!" moaned Lavender, "But I'm not tired."

"You will be." said Amy with a smile.

"We won't make Little Planet tonight." said Tails, "Looks like its back to Mobotropolis."

"I want to say bye to T2." cried Lavender.

Tails thought for a moment. T2 hadn't been around at all tonight.

"You can say bye tomorrow when we leave for Little Planet." said Tails still thinking.

Lavender looked a bit glum for a moment.

"Aaaah." she said.

"Has anyone actually seen T2 tonight?" asked Tails.

Bunnie and Amy looked at him blankly.

"Nope." they said together.

"Most odd. He's usually all over us at parties." puzzled Tails, "And another thing. Where did Petya go?"

Bunnie and Amy looked at him blankly again.

"Let me guess. You don't know." said Tails.

"Right." said Amy.

"Oh well. Maybe she went off. Sure I'll run into her again." said Tails, "Well we better be going. You staying here Bunnie?"

"Ah think ah will. Someone's got to tell knucklehead over there where everyone is."

Amy gave snigger.

"Well be seeing you Bunnie. Take care."

"You too sugah. Safe trip."

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Petya ran through the forest. Could it be? Was her search finally going to be over? She didn't know. She jumped and cleared a fallen tree branch. Night had closed in thick now and the forest was a sheet of blackness. Petya switched on her torch filling the area with light. She stopped for a moment and looked at the map. If T2's directions had been correct then she was about eighteen miles from Drood Henge. She put the map away and continued on at a run.

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"Well there we go." said Amy sitting down in a chair, "She's asleep."

"Finally." said Tails glancing at his watch, "Took long enough."

They had arrived back in Mobotropolis about and hour ago and Lavender had taken this long to go to sleep. It was nearly 11.00pm.

"Well she shouldn't have had that nap earlier."

"Oh well."

Tails leaned back in his chair and stretched.

"I really should go to bed." he said to himself.

Amy just hmmed at him. Tails looked over at her. She had her thinking look on and was rubbing her chin slowly.

"Something up?" asked Tails.

"Oh nothing really. I'm just thinking about Petya. She seemed so friendly and then she disappears without saying goodbye. I don't know."

"Amy! You worry too much. For all we know her and T2 might have disappeared together……"

Amy shot him a glance and Tails stopped. He grinned at her broadly.

"Sorry." he said.

"Quite. Now come on, it's time we got some sleep."

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Petya reached out and took hold of a small glowing black rock. She held it in her hand, staring at it.

"When the two become one." she said to herself, "When the two become one."

She took her rucksack off and opened it. Inside there was another glowing black rock. She put the second in next to it and closed her rucksack. She turned and looked at her surroundings. She was standing in a partly excavated ruin. In recent years part of Drood Henge had been excavated to reveal quite an elaborate set of pillars and platforms. Petya sighed and closed her eyes. She stood like that for several minutes, it was a bad move.

"Hey you! Don't move!" cried a voice.

Petya's eyes flew open and she spun quickly. Two people in blue uniforms were running towards her holding stun guns. Petya's hand rushed to the side of her rucksack. She caught hold of the whip mounted on the side and yanked it off. The guards saw this and smiled.

"Ok missy. Put the whip down and stick your hands up." said one guard pointing the stun gun at her.

"Whatever is the problem?" asked Petya innocently.

"Don't play dumb. Hand over the Power Stones and stick your hands up." said the second.

Petya slowly raised her hands.

"That's good. Now hand over the Power Stones and we might go fair on you." said the first guard.

Petya made a move to take off her rucksack and then suddenly swung her whip upwards. It caught on to a low cross beam between two pillars. Before the guards could do anything Petya had leaped into the air, swung towards them and clobbered them both across the face with her feet. The guards fell to the floor with a scream. Petya unhooked her whip and darted from the area.

"I have to get out of here." she said to herself as she ran.

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Sonic yawned slowly as he woke up. He groaned slightly and then winced.

"Oh my ears. That music must have been loud last night." he said as he sat up.

He looked over to the side. Sally was already up and about. As his ears adjusted back to normal he could hear her singing to herself in the shower. He slowly got up and stretched. He put on his cloak and sneakers and walked over to the window. He pushed them open and yawned again.

"I need another vacation." he said turning away.

Just then his comm unit bleeped at him.

"What? At this hour?" he moaned as he switched his comm on, "Yes? What is it?"

"Your highness! We have trouble! Someone broke into Drood Henge this morning and stole the Power Stones!" came a hurried reply.

"WHAT?!" cried Sonic staggering backwards, "I want a full surveillance sweep of the area. Everything we've got! Alert the others!"

"Yes sir!"

The comm went dead. Sonic turned round.

"SALLY!" cried Sonic.

A few seconds later Sally rushed out of the bathroom leaving a trail of water behind her.

"What is it Sonic?" she asked quickly fastening her towel around her more securely.

"Someone has stolen the Power Stones!" replied Sonic.

Sally's face hit the floor. She stared at Sonic in disbelief.

"What?! But……but no-one else apart from us, the others and the guards even know of their existence. How could anyone……….oh no! Alicia!"

Sally ran to the closet and threw on a dress. A few minutes later ran from the room with Sonic in pursuit.

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Tails was woken up by an incessant bleeping noise. He growled loudly and threw his hand over to his bedside cabinet. His hand rummaged through the various things on it until he found what he was looking for. He picked up his communicator and growled into it.

"If this is anything other than war I'm hanging up!"

"Sorry to disturb you but his highness request your presence at the palace as soon as possible." came a reply.

"Alright." groaned Tails, "Tell him I'll be right there."

Tails turned the comm off and rolled over. Amy was still sleeping soundly next to him. He hated having to do this.

"Amy. Amy wake up." he said gently as he gave her a nudge.

Slowly Amy woke up and moaned.

"Not now Tails. Let me sleep a bit longer." she said quietly yawning.

"Amy, Sonic wants us up at the palace."

"That hedgehog better have a good reason for waking me up, or he's going to get it."

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Knuckles woke with a start and almost fell out of bed as Bunnie banged on the door. He shook himself awake and quickly got out of bed.

"I'm up. I'm up!" he cried back quickly, "Be right out."

Knuckles quickly slipped his sneakers on and opened the door. Bunnie was standing there with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot.

"When ah say you can stay at mine, ah at least expect you to wake up." she said.

"Sorry Bunnie. I was tired after last night."

"Well ya'll better get something to eat quickly. Ah just got buzzed, Sonic wants us up at the palace."

Knuckles groaned.

"Why me?"

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Sally skidded to a halt outside the children's bedroom. Inside she could hear that the children where awake. She knocked on the door.

"Hello?" said Alicia from the other side.

"Alicia darling. Can I come in?" replied Sally as Sonic came to a stop behind her.

"Sure mom."

Sally opened the door and walked in. Alicia was sitting at her dressing table opposite a big mirror. She had a variety of different hair accessories scattered across the dressers top. She turned round as Sonic and Sally came in.

"Hi mom." she said cheerfully, "Can you give me a hand here……"

Alicia faded into silence as Sally glared at her.

"Mom?" she asked cautiously.

"Alicia. How could you do it?" said Sally.

"Do what mom?"

"You told someone about the Power Stones didn't you." burst out Sally forgetting any sense of patients she had.

"No mom. I didn't. I swear. I promised you."

"Alicia. Don't lie to me again! I know you did. You've created a very bad situation here and it could cause a great deal of trouble! You will stay here until I see it fit for you to leave!" balled Sally.

Alicia looked like she was going to burst into tears.

"Mom…….I didn't………I promised you." she said quietly through her sniffs.

Sally just glared at her hard and stormed out of the room. Alicia looked over to Sonic to try and find someone who would believe her. Sonic just looked back at her and then walked out. Alicia lower jaw started to tremor and seconds later she burst into tears and collapsed onto the dresser top.