Chapter 2 - Happy Reunions

"Hold on. I'm shutting it down." said Charles.

Bunnie, T2, Petya, Manic and Sonia held their breath. In front of them was a large smoke filled tube. It was of course the de-robotisiser. It was even cruder than the version they had had back in Knothole all those years ago. The smoke was a by-product of the procedure and it clouded everyone's vision. The gentle humm in the room subsided and for a few seconds the only sound was everyone's heavy breathing. The smoke slowly subsided and dispersed. Everyone gasped. There on the platform lay Sally. The real Sally. It had actually worked. Sonia suddenly spun and hugged Charles.

"You did it!" she cried.

Charles was too amazed to answer. Slowly Sonia released him and they both walked over to join everyone else by Sally side. She lay on her side in a half curled up position. Her eyes were lightly closed and her breathing was light but steady. They waited and finally Sally made a small moan. Her breathing started to deepen slightly and slowly one eye opened slightly. Her eye watered heavily as she did and for a few seconds Sally had no memory of anything.

"Sally?" said T2 slowly.

Sally's eye opened slightly more and she moaned again. Her other eye opened and she slowly focussed on T2's face. He smiled at her.

"T2?" said Sally slowly.

"Sally you're alright!" squealed Sonia.

"S-Sonia?" said Sally slowly, still fairly out of it.

T2 slowly helped her into a sitting position and Sally spent a few moments looking around the room. Her eyes finally came to rest on T2 again.

"What? What happened?" she said.

"We rescued you Sally." replied T2, "Don't you remember?"

They knew that the robotisisation procedure simply removed the will of the person. They still had memories but no power to govern their actions.

"Rescue? Yes, it's coming back." said Sally.

Sally blinked heavily and then looked from one of them to the next. She gave a small sniff and her eyes started to water again.

"I'm sorry." she said quietly.

"Sugah." said Bunnie kneeling down next to her.

Bunnie put an arm around Sally shoulder and looked directly into her eyes.

"It's ok Sally girl."

Sally collapsed sideways onto Bunnie and gave a few small sobs into Bunnie's arm. Bunnie looked up and motioned with her eyes towards the door. Everyone understood. They wanted to be with Sally and make sure she was ok but for now it was probably best to leave her alone for a while. Sonia, Manic, Charles, Petya and T2 slowly got up left the room. Bunnie stayed still holding Sally for what seemed like an eternity. Finally Sally looked up at her. Bunnie looked down at her. It wasn't the Sally she had known. This one was broken. The very spirit was missing from her eyes and she looked like a scared child. Bunnie reminded herself of what Sally had been through in the past two years.

"Bunnie?" said Sally.

"Yes Sally." replied Bunnie.

"What about the other?"

Bunnie slowly closed her eyes.

"We weren't able to capture them." she said slowly opening her eyes, "They're still out there."

Sally looked like she already knew the answer but when Bunnie confirmed the final straw was broken. Sally buried her head in Bunnie's shoulder and howled. Bunnie put a hand on Sally head. Bunnie was suddenly taken back to a time two years ago. A time when she had been conforting Alicia in the same way. Those had been dark times. Bunnie quickly snapped herself out of her memories. She didn't like to dwell on the past. Those times were not this time. But perhaps these times were dark in their own way? Just then there was a small knock at the door.

"Come in." said Bunnie quietly.

Slowly the door opened.

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Alicia and Miles sat side by side on a small wall. They both had an arm around each other's shoulders. Lavender sat next to them looking at them with worried eyes. The children knew that Sally had been captured but as yet nothing else. Lavender looked away from Miles and Alicia and out over Knotlake. The village was tucked away under a small lip of rock that jutted out of the mountain range north of Robotropolis. A large crystal blue lake lay next to the village. The lake was of pure mountain water and was clear, crisp and shone like a pool of molten metal when the moons light touched it. It had been about nine months since Knotlake had been founded and Lavender had finally accepted it as her home. It had taken her a long time though. Losing Tails and Amy and then Little Planet and her grandparents had been such a blow to her that she still woke up from dreams about it. She was the only remains of her whole family now. The responsibility she felt she had made her weak in the knees.

Just then Charles, Manic, Sonia, T2 and Petya walked out of a hut nearby. Miles and Alicia both looked up and stared at them. The expression on their faces made them look like they were five years old. Petya nodded to the rest of them and then walked over to Miles and Alicia. The children slid off the wall and stood side by side watching her as she approached. Petya stopped next to them and looked at them for a few seconds saying nothing.

"Petya?" said Miles slowly.

Petya looked at him. She knew what he was going to ask.

"Is Sally ok?" he asked.

Petya didn't really know how to answer him. Sally was ok physically but mentally she was totally destroyed. It would take a while for her to recover. She knelt down next to the hedgehog. The Power Stone in her palm glowed and she placed it on Miles' shoulder. He gave a small gasp and then relaxed.

"Don't worry." said Petya slowly, "She is ok."

Miles and Alicia suddenly burst into tears and hugged each other. Petya removed her hand from Miles' shoulder. It was then that she noticed Lavender standing by herself a few feet away. She walked over to her.

"Lavender? Lavender are you ok?" she said.

Lavender shook her head. She looked up at Petya and her eyes filled with tears. Suddenly Lavender's body shimmered and she seemed to melt away. Petya watched as she transformed herself into a pool of water and ran down the small bank into the lake. Petya couldn't help but weep slightly for her. Lavender hadn't done that in a long time. Definitely not since she had moved to Knotlake. She was upset, very upset. Petya made a note to check up on her as soon as she came out. She then felt a small tug on her clothing. She turned to see Miles and Alicia standing there.

"Can......can we see her?" said Alicia quietly.

Petya didn't say anything. She smiled and put a hand on both of their shoulders. She turned them around and walked back to the hut she had come out of.

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The door opened and Petya, Miles and Alicia stood on the threshold. Bunnie looked at them and then back at Sally. Sally was still curled in a ball in her arms. What was Petya doing?! Sally was too fragile at the moment. Miles and Alicia shouldn't see her in this state. She looked at Petya and glared. Petya only motioned to Miles and Alicia and then to Sally. Bunnie finally nodded but not without resistance.

Slowly Petya led Miles and Alicia into the room. Bunnie gave Sally a small nudge and she looked up. Bunnie met her gaze and then looked to the side. Sally followed her line of sight and saw Miles and Alicia. Tears welled in her eyes again and began to roll down her cheek. Miles and Alicia stopped and looked at Sally. They could both see that she wasn't herself. Sally was never like this. Alicia slowly approached and knelt down next to her. Memories of old came back to Alicia. Memories of Sally comforting her when she was upset and saddened. Alicia reached out her hand and nervously touched her mother's hand.

"Mother?" she said quietly.

Sally sniffed and swallowed. She slowly turned her hand so as to hold Alicia's. She looked into Alicia's eyes and her lower lip began to tremble. Suddenly she turned back to Bunnie's shoulder and started to cry. Alicia's eyes watered and she collapsed on top of Sally as she started to cry as well. A few seconds later Miles was there as well. Bunnie, Alicia and Miles all hugged Sally as she continued to cry.

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Petya walked beside the lake. She had slipped out quietly a few moments before. Maybe being with the children will help she thought to herself.

That is a good idea.

T2! Don't do that. You shocked me.

Sorry Petya.

What do you want?

Have you seen Lavender? I've been looking for her for a while now.

Lavender! I was meaning to look for her myself. She slipped into the lake just before I took the children to see Sally.

The old puddle trick again?

Yes.

She hasn't done that in a long time. She must be really upset.

That's why I want to find her.

I'll help.

T2 and Petya walked along the lakeside looking for any sign of Lavender. The area around her always seemed to be a bit brighter and more vibrant and that was a dead give away. After a short while they found her hiding in a patch of grass just outside the village. Petya knelt down beside her and reached out towards her. Lavender recoiled and continued to sob quietly.

"Lavender dear, what's wrong?" said T2 kneeling down as well.

Lavender looked up at him and then suddenly flung her arms around him. T2 instinctively threw his arms around her as well.

"It's ok Lavender. What is it?" he said.

"Uncle T2." said Lavender as she buried her head in his shoulder.

T2 gently stroked her head trying to calm her down.

"Lavender. Petya told me about the puddle thing earlier. There's something wrong isn't there?" said T2.

Lavender just nodded on his shoulder.

"What?" he replied.

"It's just that………you're the closest thing I've got to a family now." said Lavender looking up slightly.

T2 finally understood. In all the excitement about rescuing Sally they had forgotten that they hadn't rescued Tails or Amy. Lavender hadn't shown any sign of distress but it was apparent now.

"Don't worry Lavender. We will rescue Tails and Amy." he said.

"But what if you don't?" said Lavender suddenly.

She looked up at him, her eyes welling with tears. Lavender had always been a mix of personalities since she had been transformed two years ago. A mature twenty year old mind in the body of a nervous six year old child. T2 could tell that it was the twenty year old he was talking to now. Her voice was crisp and it held a hint of panic in it.

"What if you don't rescue them?" continued Lavender, "Then I'll be the last of the Prowers."

"Lavender. I don't know how and I certainly don't know when but I swear to you that we will rescue them. We will rescue them and once again you will have a family. Until that time comes you need to be strong. We have to go on fighting. Never looking back, never giving up and never surrendering." said T2.

He placed a hand on either of her shoulders and looked her directly in the eyes. The six year old came back out again. Lavender smiled at him and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you uncle T2." she said.

You certainly have a way with her.

Yes Petya.

What now?

I'm going to stay here with Lavender for a while. She needs a bit of company and friendship.

Very well. I'm going to see how the preparation for tomorrow are doing.

For Alicia birthday?

And the children's acceptance into the freedom fighter group.

It's funny how this coincided with Sally's rescue isn't it?

Yes it is.

Petya smirked and then got up. T2 watched her leave and turned back to Lavender. She had fallen asleep in his arms.

"That's better Lavender. You have a sleep and regain your strength."

T2 brushed his hand across her hair. She was a cute kid and didn't deserve this. He looked up and glared at the sky.

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Alicia snuggled into Sally's side. Sally had stopped crying now and was sitting with her back to the wall with Miles and Alicia on either side. Bunnie was busying herself elsewhere in the room. Sally smiled happily as she looked from Miles to Alicia. They had been sitting quietly for a little while now. No one wanted to speak, they were all happy enough to sit and smile. Finally Sally decided to say something.

"I'm so happy to see you again." she said slowly.

Miles and Alicia looked up at her and smiled softly.

"Me too mum." said Miles.

Alicia just hmmed and rubbed her head on Sally arm.

"I've missed you both so much. Even when I was….."

Sally stopped and took a deep breath. Probably best not to bring that up. Just being with the children for this short time had somehow revitalised her. She felt different already. She was so glad to be free again.

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It was later in the day and the sun had started to dip below the horizon. Sally had finally decided to go outside. She had been filled in on the bits of her rescue she couldn't remember and was now on a small mission of thank you. Sally couldn't believe how wonderful Knotlake was. It was similar to Knothole but smaller in size. It was encased on three sides by mountains and the lip of the overhanging mountain virtually completely obscured it from view. The only way to see Knotlake was from the west and that's if you were looking for it. Sally looked this way now. The sun had become a semi circle on the horizon now. Its long rays shone across the barren plain below and glinted of the lake. Sally couldn't but feel slightly saddened. The plain below had once been fertile and green and had been the home of many Mobians who were now no doubt robotisised. Sally turned away from the sunset and walked over to a large hut at the edge of the village. A green cross had been painted on a crude sign hanging outside. She opened the door and looked inside. At the far end of the room a brown rabbit lay in a bed. A pink hedgehog sat next to the bed. Sally opened the door a bit more and walked in. The hedgehog looked up as she entered.

"Sa…Sally?" she said.

"Hello Sonia." said Sally slowly.

"How are you feeling?" asked Sonia as carefully as she could.

"I'm feeling better. Still a little nervous and scared."

"I understand."

Sonia turned her head back to Chalk.

"Is she ok?" asked Sally.

"We think she'll be ok. If it wasn't for her we would never have been able to rescue you and chances are we would all be dead." replied Sonia.

"I know."

"I'm worried about her though. She's such a good friend."

Sally nodded. Apparently Chalk and Sonia had become the closest friends you could imagine. They did everything as a pair. Sally knew what it felt like. She walked over to Chalk's bed and sat down next to Sonia.

"Chalk?" she said softly, "Chalk?"

"She's asleep Sally." said Sonia, "You can speak to her in the morning."

"But I want to say thank you. I owe this to her. She is the reason I am standing here. I need to….."

"No you don't." said Chalk.

Sonia and Sally jumped slightly. Chalk slowly opened her eyes and rolled her head to look at Sally.

"You don't need to say anything." said Chalk, "I was the reason you were robotisised. Control or no control it was still my fault. I will never be satisfied until all of you are safe again and Robotnik is beaten for good. At that time you may thank me. Until then let's just……..let's just continue as we are."

Sally looked at Chalk. She didn't know how determined the rabbit was.

"You could have been killed." said Sally.

"Then it would have been worth while. But I wasn't and that's what's important. You're free, I will be fine in a few days and…..argh!"

"Chalk rest please!" said Sonia getting slightly worried.

"Argh. Ok Sonia."

Chalk slowly rolled her head back and took a few deep breaths. Sonia looked at Sally.

"You better go. I'll stay here and look after her." she said.

"Have you stayed with her every night?" asked Sally.

"Yes. She's my friend. I owe it to her."

"Ok then. I will see you in the morning."

"Good night my queen."

Sally gave a small sniff and then turned and left the building.

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To the south a large storm was brewing. Huge towering columns of black cloud swirled in the sky. The occasional flash of lightning lit up the cloud. The sound of thunder echoed across the landscape. A figure moved beneath the clouds. He carried a large gold plated staff with him. It looked very much like a trident but the central spike had been removed and in its place was a dark blue gem stone. The outer blades around the gem were curved and almost met in middle. The figure threw back the hood of the cloak he was wearing. The face of a fox poked out. His fur was a mix of two shades of blue, a medium blue on his arms, legs and face and a light blue on his chest and muzzle. Lines of dark blue ran across his body. The lines kept shifting position and made it look like his fur was alive. A small fringe of dark blue hair swept down across his face below the upward pointing strands. He wore a pair of brown leather boots, a pale yellow cape and a set of large metal shoulder pads from which a large golden amulet with another deep blue gem in it hung. Just then it started to rain. The fox looked up at the sky.

"Hmm……no rain today I think." he said to himself.

He slowly raised his staff in front of him. The gem at the tip glowed deep blue and several small orange circles of light started to spin around the end of the staff. The figure quickly slammed his staff down on the ground and there was a bright spark. The rain suddenly stopped and the clouds dispersed slightly. The fox returned his staff to his side and nodded.

"Much better. Now I have to find my nephew."

The fox put his hood back up and walked off.