The morning rays of sun brushed slowly against T2's face. They warmed his face and he slowly woke from a restful sleep. He sighed and then yawned heavily. He rolled over and the morning rays filled his eyes. He blinked and then slowly sat up. The sun had only just risen above the horizon but already the temperature had gone up. T2 smiled.
A little while later he had breakfasted and was packing away his gear. When he was done he went back to the spot he had been sitting at earlier. He looked out over the land below him and nodded to himself. Think I'll head back today he thought to himself. He walked back to his pack and slung it over his shoulders. He could have flown or used the Deep Power Stone to transport himself but he decided to climb down the mountain. He studied the landscape for a minute and then picked out a suitable route. After a moment he began his decent. He worked his way thought a few patches of brambles and over a small stone wall. His decent was slow but he didn't mind. Before he knew it the sun was high above him and he was feeling hungry. He stopped and put his pack down. He opened his water bottle and took a drink. No water came out though so he looked inside it. The bottle was completely empty. T2 cursed himself for not filling it up before he set out. He scanned the area and caught site of a small stream a few hundred meters away. He left his pack where it was and set off towards the stream. As he got closer he became slightly confused. A pair of large ears were sticking up over the side of the streams bank. They looked like they belonged to a rabbit.
"Hello?" he called.
There was no response.
"Hello?" he called again slightly concerned.
Again he got no answer. T2 quickened his pace. He soon reached the edge of the stream and gasped. Lying face down on the bank was a rabbit. Her face, arms and body lay in the mud on the bank and her legs lay in the water. She was wearing something that looked like a military camouflage jacket and trousers. She had a blue ribbon tied to the end of both of her ears and a pair of blue, yellow and red sneakers. T2 slid down the bank and rolled her over onto her back. She was breathing but very slowly. She looked absolutely exhausted. It was then that T2 noticed something strange. The tips of her fingers on her right hand were encased in little metal cups a bit like the fingers of a glove. These cups were then joined to a metal strap around her wrist by wires. She also had another two straps on her left arm, one above and one below the elbow, joined by wires as well. On her head above her left eye was another piece of metal. On it was mounted a small clear blue piece of glass. T2 also noticed a large metal belt around her waist. On it was mounted an extending metal arm. T2 gave her a gentle shake.
"Hello?" he said again, "Hello? Are you alright?"
The rabbit gave a small moan and slowly one of her eyes opened. She stared at T2 for a moment and then tried to speak. It was so quiet T2 had to virtually put his ear to her mouth.
"Water." said the rabbit slowly.
T2 sprung to his feet and jumped down into the stream. He bent down to fill his water bottle and then gasped. Lying in the stream was a large grey gun. It was almost as big as the rabbit and made of the same metal as the metal on her body. T2 only glanced at it quickly and then went back to filling his water bottle. He quickly returned to the rabbit's side. She had opened both of her eyes now but was just looking straight ahead of her. T2 raised the water bottle and the rabbit opened her mouth. She took a small drink and then spluttered spitting most of it back out again. T2 was busy looking her over. She didn't appear to have any injuries that he could see. He looked at her with a bit of concern.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
The rabbit just looked at him and nodded once slowly. She spoke again.
"Thank you." she said.
T2 just smiled at her. Just then he felt a hand on his. His first instinct was to pull away but he didn't. The rabbit looked at him with a broad smile on her face.
"What's your name?" asked T2.
"My my name?" said the rabbit slightly puzzled.
She blinked and her smile faded.
"I…….I can't remember." she said.
It was T2's turn to blink now.
"You don't know?!" he said with concern, "Then what are you doing here?"
The rabbit shook her head. Her breathing was coming slightly more rapid now. A tear was forming in her left eye.
"I…….I don't know." she said quietly.
T2 looked up at the sky. It was still about noon by the look of the sun. For the moment his hunger and thirst were forgotten. He looked back down at the rabbit. The tear in her eye had now escaped and was running down her cheek. T2 wiped it off with his finger.
"Don't worry." he said calmly.
The rabbit seemed to relax slightly but T2 could sense that she was scared. T2 wondered if he could contact Petya at this distance. Since Lavender had fully revived Mobius over a week ago it might be possible. The power of the Deep Power Stone did seem more powerful that it usually did. He rose he head up and thought.
Petya. Here me please.
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Petya yawned as she sat down in the Royal Gardens. It was a slightly cloudier day in Mobotropolis and the sun was blotted out most of the time. Petya liked it like this. It had been too warm yesterday. Yesterday! Petya gave a groaning sigh. She still ached from carrying so much stuff around. Sonia must buy a new wardrobe every week she thought to herself. She leaned back and closed her eyes. It was then that she noticed a small presence on her mind. It was so faint she could hardly feel it. She looked deeply at the feeling and it grew slightly. It seemed familiar but it was still too weak to sense properly. She became irritated and stared harder at the feeling. A small voice came to her mind.
Petya. Here me please.
Petya blinked. It was T2.
T2! Is that you?
Petya! Thank god I got through to you. I need your help.
What is it T2?
It would take too long to explain and I'm not sure I can hold this link. Just come. I'll explain when you get closer.
Where?
You will know.
The feeling suddenly disappeared and Petya opened her eyes. She jumped off her seat and ran back into the palace.
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Bunnie continued to rub her ears with a towel as she left the bathrooms. She had just finished a very nice refreshing shower and was pondering on what to have for lunch. She walked on a bit more still rubbing her ears. She had almost reached the dinning hall when Petya flew across in front of her panting heavily. She didn't stop or say anything as she passed. Bunnie watched her as she ran past her and on through the palace towards the landing pads on the northern side. Bunnie decided to follow and ran after her.
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Petya reached the landing pads and skidded to a halt. Several transports rested in magnetic grapples in front of her. A number of them belonged to various palace members but others didn't. She turned quickly and made her way over to one at the side of the pad. She entered an access code on a panel and the door swung open. Just then she heard a voice.
"Petya! Hey Petya sugah. Where y'all going?" cried Bunnie voice.
Petya turned to see Bunnie running towards her. Bunnie came to a stop next to her. Petya just looked at her.
"I have to go. T2 called me." she said.
"Serious?" asked Bunnie.
Petya didn't answer. She was already inside and flicking a few controls. Bunnie dived inside as the door slid shut. The craft rose into the air and shot off.
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T2 looked up at the sun. It looked like it was about three in the afternoon. T2 had managed to pull the rabbit out of the stream and she was now lying on her back on the grass by the river. T2 had also retrieved the gun from the river at the rabbit's request. She now had one hand wrapped around it. She had been drifting in and out of sleep but now she was beginning to wake up properly. She had asked for some more water and had swallowed it this time. She had also asked for something to eat a few times but T2 had refused saying that water was better at the moment. T2 looked up into the sky. He was a bit worried. Petya should be here by now. As if to answer his troubles he felt a presence on his mind. He smiled. It was the feeling of the other half of the Deep Power Stone. Petya must be close. He reached out with his thoughts.
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Petya felt T2 touch her mind and she answered him.
Hello T2.
Petya. I'm glad you're here.
What is wrong?
I've found someone. She seems to have lost her memory. She may need help.
Yes T2. Where are you?
You'll know where to land.
The link broke and Petya scanned the horizon. She chose a spot and set the craft down. Bunnie opened the door. She didn't have a clue what was going on. Petya hadn't told her anything. T2 had been right though. Petya had set the craft down a few hundred meters from where T2 was. Bunnie and Petya walked towards him. He noticed them and stood up.
"Hello T2." said Bunnie.
"Bunnie? You came too huh?" replied T2.
"Well I haven't seen Petya act so urgently. I thought I could help."
"You might be able too. Come on I'll show you."
T2 led Petya and Bunnie over to the stream. The rabbit was sitting up now leaning against a small rock still clutching the gun to her side. She didn't look right in her clothes thought. The expression on her face was one of a lost child and the gun and combat clothes made her look very strange. Bunnie studied her carefully. She couldn't be any more that eighteen years old at the most. The rabbit looked fairly nervous at the new arrivals. Bunnie knelt down next to her.
"It's ok. We're friends. I'm Bunnie and this is Petya." she said.
The rabbit looked less nervous.
"Hello." She said.
"Now don't worry sugah. We're here to help." said Bunnie standing up.
She turned to T2.
"Where'd you find her and who is she?" asked Bunnie.
"I found her in the stream. I don't actually know who she is. Neither does she. She's lost her memory."
"Well we can't leave her here." said Petya, "Let's take her back to Mobotropolis. She needs a clean up and a bit of rest by the look of things."
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Night was falling in Mobotropolis as the craft landed on the landing pad of the palace. Petya was the first one out followed by Bunnie and then T2 supporting the rabbit. She was still a bit nervous and cautious of everything and for the moment only trusted T2 fully. Charles and Sonia were waiting on the landing pad for them. Petya had called ahead to tell everyone and they were both very kind and courteous to the rabbit. She started to raise her head a little more and look around at the various objects around her. Charles, Sonia and Bunnie went off to one side leaving the rabbit with T2 and Petya.
"So you don't know anything about her?" asked Charles.
"Nope. Neither does she. According to T2 she has a completely blank memory." said Bunnie.
"How do we know this for sure?" asked Sonia, "She could be pretending."
"She could but…..I have a feeling about her. But T2 can sense a lot. She really does have no memory." replied Bunnie.
"We should tell my Sonic about this." said Charles.
"Yes. But unfortunately he or Sally didn't take a communicator with them." said Bunnie.
"Manic did." said Sonia.
"Of course!" cried Bunnie, "Why didn't I think of that. They went to see him didn't they? Ok Sonia, get on the line and tell Manic to get Sonic over here fast."
Sonia nodded and walked off.
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It was approaching twelve midnight on Paradise Island. The only sound in the air was the breeze on the trees and the waves on the shore. In Sonic and Sally's hut all was still and quiet. Suddenly there was a scream. Sonic bolted upright in bed. Beads of sweat covered his brow and his breathing was in deep irregular gasps. A spilt second later Sally was awake. She put an arm around Sonic's shoulder and looked at him with worried eyes.
"Sonic?" she asked quietly, "Sonic what is it?"
Sonic just sat there staring at the far wall. Slowly his breathing returned to normal and his shoulders relaxed. He took a long breath and closed his eyes. A few moments later he opened them and looked at Sally. She still had her arm around his shoulder and a worried expression on her face.
"Sonic what is it?" she asked again.
"It was………just a dream Sal. Nothing to worry about." he replied quickly.
Sonic turned and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He put his hands on his knees and took a few more deep breaths. Sally got out of bed and put on a silk dressing gown. She walked around the bed and sat down next to Sonic. She put an arm around him again and took a hold of one of his hands with the other arm. He turned to look at her. She looked him directly in the eye.
"Sonic……you haven't woken up like that in a long time. What is it?" she asked.
Sonic looked away from her and back to his knees.
"Sal. You remember our time back in Knothole before we really got together?" he said.
"Of course." she said.
"Do you remember our attempted strike to stop Robotnik at Nimbus Isle?"
"Ni….Nimbus Isle?!"
Sally swallowed a lump in her throat. That was one of the times she wished she could have forgotten. Herself, Sonic, Bunnie and Antoine had almost been killed there. She gave a small shudder and nodded. Just then she remembered something else.
"Wait you mean the dream was….?"
"Yes Sal. The same one I had then."
Sally gave another shudder. The dream. It had taken Sonic almost ten years to finally tell Sally the reason he froze at Nimbus Isle. She had been sitting on her own and he had walked up and told her. Sally had just sat and listened in dismay. She couldn't believe it at first. He told her about the dream he had had just before and then during the Nimbus Isle raid. He told her about how her voice had rung out over everything. Sonic where were you when the brains were handed out? Sally remembered that clearly. The dream was worse than that though. He had told her how he was forced to watch her being robotosised while he couldn't do anything. Sally shook herself. Sonic was still staring at his knees.
"But it's ok Sonic." she said comfortingly, "We came through. You did learn to use your brain and the technology doesn't exist anymore. Neither does Robotnik!"
"It was just the pictures this time Sal. It was actually worse like that. It was as if someone planted it in my head. As if someone wanted me to watch you being robotosised while I stood on helplessly."
Sally put both of her arms around him.
"It was just a dream as you said Sonic. I am here and I always will be. Nothing on Mobius will stop that." she said.
Sonic sighed and put his arms around her.
"I know Sal." he said slowly, "I know."
They stayed like that for a few moments before there was a knock at the door. Sonic looked up a bit startled. Sally slowly got to her feet and went to the door. Slowly she opened it a little.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"Sally. Oh, your majesty. I mean whatever. It's Manic." said the voice.
Sally unlatched the door and swung it open. Manic couldn't help but stare. Sally did look quite stunning in her silk dressing gown.
"Manic. What brings you here at this time?" asked Sonic joining Sally at the door.
"What? Oh!" said Manic snapping his eyes off Sally, "I just got a message from Sonia. It seems that T2 had rescued this girl who had lost her memory. They're asking for you."
"Can't they do anything by themselves?!" groaned Sonic, "Fine. Send them this reply. Message received. We will be there in the MORNING! And stress the morning part!"
Sonic turned and walked off. Manic suddenly found himself staring at Sally again.
"You get that?" asked Sally.
"Huh? Oh yeah. I got it. See you guys in the morning." replied Manic.
"Go on you." replied Sally spinning away from the door.
Her dressing gown lifted from the floor slightly as she spun. Manic quickly turned and walked off muttering to himself. Sally let out a small laugh. She loved teasing Manic. But now wasn't the time for laughter. She walked back into the bedroom to finds Sonic staring at his knees again. She sighed and her expression softened. This was going to be a long night.
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T2 slowly woke up. He stretched and then slid out of bed. Petya was stirring in her sleep next to him. T2 looked round the room. It was the same as always but with one difference. In a bed at the other side of the room slept a brown rabbit. She had refused to sleep anywhere but in T2's room. She had wanted to sleep next to him but that spot was already taken so she finally agreed on just the same room. T2 walked over to the curtains and opened them. A bright light shone in. It took a moment for T2's eyes to readjust. He looked down at the city below for a moment and then back into the room. Petya had woken up now and had slipped into a dressing gown. She picked up a towel, winked at him and headed for the shower. T2 looked over at the rabbit. She was stirring now as well. He wondered if she felt any better.
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It was later in the day when a small shuttle landed on the palace landing pads. The magnetic clamps engaged and the craft stopped. The door slid open and Sonic, Sally and Manic got out. Sonic and Sally had changed back into their royal attire but Manic was the same as ever. They walked into the palace and where met by Sonic's uncle.
"Hey Soni boy." said Charles.
"So what's baking unc." replied Sonic.
"We're still not sure ourselves. T2 will fill you in on the details."
Charles led the three of them along a few corridors and then into a large room. T2, Petya, Bunnie and Sonia were already there along with the rabbit in question. As Sonic and Sally entered the rabbit looked up. She cocked her head to one side and looked at them.
"Hey Sonic." cried T2.
"Hey there T2. So who is this?" said Sonic.
"We don't know. She can't remember her name or anything for that matter."
"So I keep being told. Well are you going to introduce us?"
T2 quickly stepped forward.
"This is Sonic." he said to the rabbit.
"So-nic?" said the rabbit.
She blinked at him and straightened her head. Suddenly her eyes fixed on him and she starred directly into his eyes. Sonic immediately found this off putting and turned away slightly.
"And this is Sally. They are the king and queen of Mobius." said T2.
"Sa-lly?" said the rabbit.
She turned her attention to Sally and starred directly at her too. Sally just looked a bit puzzled. Sonic turned to T2. He shot a sideways glance at the rabbit who had resumed her starring at him.
"Ok then T2. Tell us everything that happened." he said.
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Later that evening Sonic was passing back and forth in his room. Sally was sat on the bed looking at him. Finally Sonic stopped and looked at her.
"It's strange." he said.
"I know." she replied.
"In all that expanse of land T2 just happens to find her. Too convenient for me."
Sally just nodded.
"And did you see the way she stared at you and me?" she said.
"Yes. Most unusual. T2 told me that she didn't do that to anyone else."
"And it wasn't because she knew you were the king either. T2 didn't tell her that until he had introduced me."
"Hmm. Well whatever the reason it will wait until morning. I'm too tired to care about much right now. What I need is a good night sleep. Providing the dream doesn't come back."
"It won't trust me Sonic."
"I hope so."
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It did though. Later that night Sonic woke with a start. Sweat dripped off him. Sally didn't wake this time. She just murmured and rolled over. Sonic sat up in bed for a moment.
"It's no good." he said to himself.
He got out of bed and took a few steps forwards. Suddenly he noticed something in the shadows. He quickly looked at it as it flashed out. He didn't have time to move or scream or anything. He just hit the floor with a thud a large impact mark on his head. This was enough to wake Sally though. She sat up straight in bed.
"Sonic?" she said quickly before she fell back to a lying position.
Blood seeped out of a small cut on her head.