Chapter 3 – Betrayed

Sarah looked out of the porthole window of the small craft. The world seemed to be on a tilt. Well it was. The shuttle was currently positioned in a vertical position ready for take off. Outside a few people were hurrying about, busying themselves with various things. Sarah yawned, she hadn't gotten much sleep last night. She had been so worried about today, but then she knew Jet was in a similar situation. Sarah had lain awake in bed for quite some time and she had heard Jet rolling around in bed through the wall. In fact she wasn't even sure if Jet had been to sleep at all last night. Well for one thing he didn't have any less energy than normal, in fact he probably had more. Sarah looked away from the window and over at Jet. He was strapped into the chair next to her and was staring straight forwards blinking occasionally. He didn't look energetic but a few things gave it away. For one the end of his tail was flicking around sharply and for another his fur seemed was standing on end slightly. Sarah smiled.

"Calm down Jet. You'll make yourself sick." she said.

"Can't….I'm too excited. I'm really going into space! I can't believe it! It's like a dream!" replied Jet still staring straight ahead.

"Yes I know."

Jet was excited for his own reasons but he didn't yet know the real reason for the trip. If they had found Mobius she would finally have to tell him everything about his past. Sarah didn't know where she would start. She had lied to him for eleven years and now she had to face it.

However the lie had been to protect him. He had led a happy life for eleven years and had none of the worries and cares she had. At least she had saved him from that, but would the truth be too bigger blow for him? Sarah was brought out of her thoughts by the shuttles internal comm activating.

"Launch sequence engaged. Ten seconds to launch." it said.

"Hold on Jet." said Sarah.

Jet just nodded hard. A few seconds passed.

"Five….four…..three….two…..one…engine ignition." said the comm.

The shuttle suddenly began to shake as its powerful booster engines ignited into life. There was a few seconds of nothing and then they both felt the shuttle moving upwards.

"Lift off confirmed." finished the comm.

"Weeeeeeeeehooooooooo!" cried Jet over the noise, "This is way too cool for words!"

Jet's face was frozen in an expression of joy and exhilaration. Sarah was one of slight anxiousness. The shuttle moved upwards gaining a fair speed as it left the launching pad. Sarah glanced out of the window to see the military base was already far below. It looked like a small black dot on the coastline now. Sarah stared wide eyed at the scene. She had never been outside of the military base since she had been found twelve years ago. She had, of course, seen pictures of the Earth but it just wasn't the same. From their current height, the world below them looked so beautiful. Covered in green and blue with dots of other colours around. She had never seen Mobius from orbit….in fact she didn't know of anyone who had.

As she watched the planet slowly got further and further away. Details vanished and it became a sphere in space. Sarah looked back at Jet. His hand was resting on the harness release toggle.

"Wait Jet." she said.

"Now entering final stages. You are clear to remove your harnesses if you wish." said the comm.

"Finally!" cried Jet as he slammed his hand down on the release and pushed out of the chair.

He flew straight up and almost crashed into the ceiling.

"This is SO shway!" he cried beaming at Sarah.

Sarah smiled back and slowly released her harness. She gulped and pushed out off her seat slowly. She had been a bit nervous about this. She had never been weightless before and she had always preferred to keep her feet on the ground. Jet saw her concern.

"It's ok mm. Here take me hand. I'll help you." he said holding out his hand.

Sarah slowly took it and started to feel slightly better. Jet knew what he was doing as he had been weightless before. Jeremy had taken him to the space training centre last year and had given him a little taste of weightlessness in the training pod. She smiled slightly.

"There you go mum. No problem." said Jet.

"It feels so strange." said Sarah.

"That's what I said last year. But you get used to it really quick. I'll give you a few pointers if you like."

As Jet spoke, Sarah felt herself getting slightly more used to the feeling. She rippled her body and managed to get her feet to move downward. She took a hold of the chair next to her and pulled herself downwards. Her feet touched the deck and she sighed.

"Hey not bad mum. You're getting the hang of it." said Jet letting go of her hand.

"I think I'll just sit down." replied Sarah as she grabbed the chair and forced herself into it.

She fastened the harness and relaxed slightly. It had been a funny feeling and she had strangely enjoyed it slightly. But right now she didn't want it. Jet stared to do a few spins in the aisle making Sarah giggle slightly. She looked out of the window and saw where they were heading. The EAS Phantom was a Dauntless class heavy cruiser. Its sheer size was awe inspiring. It had to be about two miles long and was a very sleek design. She was also the only one of her class currently in operation because of the sheer cost of construction. It also worried Sarah a bit. Due to its size, the Phantom wasn't that quick, even with its star drive. They could have taken a small Aegis class ship which was much faster. Why did they need a huge warship like the Phantom?

"Coming in for final approach. All passengers return to your seats." said the comm.

"Ah no fair." said Jet floating down next to Sarah and landing in his seat.

"Well this ship does have gravity so you'd hit the floor when we docked if you weren't in your seat." replied Sarah.

"Yeah well." moaned Jet.

Sarah smiled and then sighed. She would just have to wait and see what happened.

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The wind rushed past his head as the Hurricane sped along at a fair speed. Tails took a deep breath and glanced at the instrument panel. There was no sign of anything on it. It was now a few days since he and Amy had returned from Never Lake and the village had been really quiet. Petya had taken Miles and Alicia out for a few days. Sonic, Sally, Manic and T2 were still in Robotropolis and Bunnie, as ever, was looking after the still unconscious Knuckles. Sonia and Chalk were still out and about somewhere but no-one had heard anything from them since they had left three weeks ago. But that wasn't what was on Tails' mind right now.

As the Hurricane skimmed along happily his thoughts drifted back to Amy. She had had a rough time recently. Losing her powers, Little Planet and her parents all in one go had virtually cracked her mind. When they had come back to Knotlake she has spent the whole day locked away not talking to anyone. It was later the next day when Tails and Lavender had gotten her to open the door.

And now it was the third day since their return. Tails had needed some fresh air and had decided to take the Hurricane out for a spin and a look round. Flying always gave him time to think. Why was it that just as life seemed to be going well it turned round and kicked you in the teeth? Tails shook his head.

"Oh well at least things can't get any worse." he said to himself.

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The window Sarah was looking out of was a fair size. Covering half the wall, it gave a good view of the area outside the ship. At the moment Sarah couldn't see anything but blackness. Apparently this was normal for star drive though. One of the officers onboard had explained it to her and Jet had translated it into a language she could understand. She was amazed he could understand all the technical talk, but then again he had grown up with it.

"The ship uses an engine called a stardive to open a gateway to another realm of space where distances are shorter. The ship then travels through this zone and opens another portal back to normal space. The result is that is takes less time to travel from one place to another. Also smaller faster ships can open a portal further into this other realm and so it takes less time for them to travel to the same location." Jet had explained to her earlier.

Sarah was still running the whole explanation through her mind. Science had never been her favorite. She had always preferred quieter subjects like reading and gardening. Presently a member of the ships crew approached her.

"Miss Mathews." he said.

"Yes what is it?" she answered turning round.

"You are wanted on the bridge. We are about to enter normal space again."

"Oh um….very well then. Have you seen Jet?"

"Jet? He is with Commander Francis."

"Jeremy? That's good. Well lead the way then I guess."

The officer turned and walked off leaving Sarah to follow. Nearly there….but nearly there to what?

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Amy sat mournfully on her bed staring at her knees. A time of happiness had quickly turned into one of sorrow and she hadn't been able to drag herself out of it. She raised her hands up to the light and looked at them.

"They just don't look the same." she said turning her hands round.

"Don't worry mum." said a voice.

Amy turned to see Lavender standing in the doorway. Her nine tails seemed to pulse as she smiled at her.

"Things always work out." continued Lavender.

 Lavender had spent at least a day merged with the lake just thinking. Amy had been amazed that she hadn't needed food or drink for that long but she hadn't. Since her change, Amy had just never been able to understand Lavender.

"How can things work out?" asked Amy, "My power, my parents and Little Planet are all gone! And with the Time Stones gone too there is nothing we can do about it!"

"Maybe not now but who knows what the future will bring. We just have to be strong and if there is a way we'll find it."

Amy sighed. She knew Lavender was right but….

"How do you know all this Lavender?" she asked.

"You should try a day merged with that lake….it really clears your mind." replied Lavender with a smile.

"I see." said Amy.

Lavender walked over to Amy and sat down next to her. She wrapped her tails around Amy's shoulder and nuzzled her nose into Amy's arm. Amy couldn't help but smile.

"Lavender you really are amazing." she said.

"So are you mum." replied Lavender.

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"It will be nice to see Knotlake again." said Sonic as he put his feet up on the console in front of him.

Sally raised her hand and slapped his feet off the console.

"Yes it will." she said with a bit of mild irritism.

Sonic smiled at her and put his feet back on the ground.

"I wonder how everyone is doing. We've been away for about a week I think." he said.

"Yeah just under a week." nodded Sally, "I hope everyone is enjoying themselves."

"Well if they aren't I'll be sure to change it." said Manic waltzing into the room.

"If you don't I can't think of anyone who could." joked Sonic.

Manic grinned at him.

"Other than me maybe." said T2 as he sidled in after Manic.

"Well said T2." smiled Sally, "You're parties are something special."

"And I think another is in order when we get back." continued T2, "After all the work we have done I mean."

"Sure thing T2." replied Sonic putting his feet up on the console again.

Sally groaned and stared at him. Sonic just smiled back. Sally sighed and looked out of the front of the craft. The Great Forest was passing along at a fair speed below then and the mountains were approaching fast. It wouldn't take much longer to get back to Knotlake. She was glad to be going back. Knotlake had become as much a home as Knothole and Mobotropolis had been in the past. Come to think of it, it wasn't really the place that was important. It was more the people that were there. She felt herself slipping into memories again. She closed her eyes and drifted back to her time in Knothole when she was sixteen. Those times had been dark and gloomy but had held a ray of hope like no other. Her life had been hard but maybe it was finally coming together again.

Sally's eyes suddenly flew open as something landed hard on her shoulder. She spun her head to see Sonic's hand resting on her shoulder.

"Sonic! What is it?" she asked quickly.

"Gee Sal don't be so jumpy. Just wanted to tell you that we've arrived." said Sonic withdrawing his hand.

"We have?" replied Sally looking around.

"Heh!" laughed T2 behind them, "Yes we have. You've been asleep for the last hour."

"I have?"

Sally smiled. Time sure did fly when you took a stroll down memory lane. She looked out of the cockpit window. Knotlake was now in view as the craft slowed and prepared for landing.

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Links was standing at the edge of the village as a small shuttle came gently to rest on the ground a few meters away. The door slid open and Sonic, Sally, Manic and T2 walked out. They all stretched for a moment and then looked around.

"Hello there." called Links.

They all turned and looked at him.

"Hi Links." replied Sonic as he walked over, "Where is everyone else?"

"You're lucky you got me." laughed Links.

"What do you mean? Where's Petya?" asked T2.

"She went off with Miles and Alicia a few days back." replied the fox.

"Went off? Where did they go?" asked Sally.

"I don't know. Nobody told me anything." said Links shrugging.

"Oh great!" moaned Sally.

"Ah don't worry Sal." said Sonic, "I'm sure they'll be back soon."

"Yeah I suppose so Sonic, but I would have liked to see them after all this time."

"Any news on Sonia?" asked Manic.

"Nope, same as always. We still haven't heard from either of them since they left." replied Links.

Manic looked a bit down at this news. He always hoped for news on his sister but none ever came. T2 put a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey don't worry Manic." he said turning back to Links, "Has Knuckles shown any signs of improving?"

"Not yet. Bunnie is still looking after him." answered Links with a nod towards the medical hut.

"Damn he sure is out of it. I really wonder what happened to him." said Sonic.

"Don't know. But I have a feeling its something to do with the energy of the Chaos Emeralds." said Links.

"How come?" asked Sally.

"Well he was in that place for three years remember. The energy probably saturated his body and without it he…well I guess you could say he is missing something." shrugged Links.

They all looked towards the medical hut. There was brief silence that was ended by a dull thudding noise.

"What's that?" asked Manic.

"I think I know." said T2.

"Uncy T2!" came a shrill cry from above.

Everyone looked up at the call. Lavender was slowly flying downwards towards them. Three of her tails hung down by her side but the other six were formed into two sets of rotor blades spinning in opposite directions. The downdraft from the small kitsune was immense.

"Lavender! Cut the rotor!" cried Links.

Lavender complied and three more of her tails fell to her side. Her three remaining ones slowed and she touched down on the ground.

"Sorry." she said with a giggle.

"You're more cheerful today Lavender" said Links.

"I've been mulling things over in my head for a few days now and I've come to realize that I must go on." replied Lavender.

It was obvious to everyone that it was the mental Lavender they were talking to.

"Well I'm glad you're happy." said Links, "How's Amy?"

"Still upset. But I think she'll be ok."

"What's up with her?" asked Sonic.

"Let me explain." began Links.

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It was later that evening when Links sat on his own on the edge of Knotlake. His staff lay across his knees as always and his eyes were lightly closed. He sat like this as often as he could. It gave him time to think and to reflect on past incidents. He didn't know why exactly but for the last few nights he had found himself thinking of Alindel all the time. The events ran through his mind as if they were yesterday….

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"Quickly, hurry Alindel!"

"I can't go any faster!"

"Yes you can! I know you can!"

"Links I can't."

"Alindel give me your hand. I'm going to try something."

"Links you can't use your powers here! If you do they'll find us for sure! And besides you're still weak. You can't do anything."

"It's our only way out Alindel."

Links raised his staff and the tip glowed a deep blue colour.

"No Links! Don't!"

"I have to try….argh!"

The glow around Links' staff suddenly turned a deep orange colour.

"Links stop! They'll find us!"

Links didn't respond. Instead he just collapsed to the ground with a cry.

"Links! LINKS!"

"Alindel. You go! Quickly before they find us…."

"It's too late." came a voice.

Links looked up to see two hooded figure standing nearby.

"We have finally caught up to you and this time you will not escape us." said one of them.

Alindel pushed herself in front of Links. The two figures laughed.

"And you will be first." said the second figure.

There was a bright flash from the figures cloaked forehead and a large bolt of energy shot from ground in front of them and shot towards Alindel. She screamed and huddled away from the oncoming shot. Just then there was a whooshing sound and a sharp tinkling sound. Alindel looked up to see the oncoming shot arcing away from her. Just then she felt Links move.

"Not so fast brother!" cried Links standing up quickly.

"So you still have some spark left in you." replied the figure removing his cloak, "I was afraid you were beyond all recovery."

"Not a chance Arthur! You might be stronger than me at the moment but there is no way you will defeat me." replied Links.

"Maybe so." said the second figure removing her hood, "But there are two of us now."

"And you Juanita are just the purest form of filth I have ever met!" cried Links staring at her.

"What a nice thing to say to your sister in law." she replied shaking her head slightly.

"You're not my anything Juanita!"

"Brave word for someone who is about to be…" began Arthur.

"Alindel! RUN!" cried Links.

He suddenly threw up his arms and his staff let out a blast of white light. Arthur and Juanita recoiled at the light and growled. When they looked up Links and Alindel were sprinting away from them. They nodded at each other and then darted forwards. Arthur turned into a bright flash of fire and Juanita turned into a streak of lightning. They quickly gained on Links and Alindel. They both turned to look at there pursuers.

"Alindel. You get out of here. It's me they want. You go NOW!" said Links.

"No Links. I'm staying with you." she replied.

"But you could be killed!"

"As long as I'm with you I will never be alone."

"How touching…but it is not you who will be alone!"  cried Juanita.

The lightning form of Juanita suddenly gained on them and split into a multitude of small bolts. They shot forwards striking Alindel in the shoulder and lower leg. She screamed and spun round. She opened her eyes just in time to see the fiery form of Arthur strike her head on in the chest. Alindel froze. It was an odd feeling. It was as if the very life had been ripped out of her. She collapsed to her knees and blinked. Links stopped and spun round.

"ALINDEL!" he cried as panic set solid on his face.

Alindel looked up. Her eyes had lost the sparkle they had once had. She put a hand to her chest and gasped slightly.

"ALINDEL!" cried Links again.

"Go Links." said Alindel slowly, "Go before it's too late."

Her voice was so quiet Links almost didn't here it.

"ALINDEL NO!"

"Just go Links."

The two forms of Arthur and Juanita had formed up a short distance away and they were advancing towards them both. Alindel collapsed again so she was sitting on her feet. Links was about ready to run back to Alindel but she held up her hand in front of her and spoke.

"No Links. Leave me. Go….before it's too late." she said.

With her final breath she blew a kiss at Links and collapsed over sideways. She didn't get up again.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" cried Links tears streaming from his eyes.

He glanced up at the advancing forms of Arthur and Juanita. His eyes narrowed.

"I swear on her life that I will get my revenge." he said.

He quickly raised his staff and a small column of wind rose up around him. It was only just powerful enough to lift him off the ground. The twister spun for a moment and then slowly started to accelerate away, leaving Alindel behind….

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Links slowly opened his eyes. A tear trickled down his right cheek and fell onto his leg. He gulped a breath of air and then took a number of sharp breaths.

"Oh Alindel. It shouldn't have happened to you. I would have traded anything in the world to have taken your place. Why?" he said to himself.

"You alright uncle Links?" said a small voice.

Links jumped and gasped at the voice. He spun quickly to see Lavender and Bunnie standing behind him. Had they heard him? Damn!

"You look like you could use a bit of comforting." said Bunnie with a smile.

Links only sighed.

"One thing I don't understand though." said Bunnie, "Who is this Alindel?"

Links gulped. They had heard him. He had told nobody but Lavender about Alindel and he was still inclined to keep this up. He shook his head. Bunnie looked over at Lavender. She shook her head sternly. Bunnie understood.

"Well it's ok sugah. If you don't wanna talk that fine. But at least let me give you a hug." smiled Bunnie.

Links made no move to accept or decline. Bunnie took a step forwards and sat down next to Links. She put an arm around his shoulder and hugged him tightly. Links made no move to shrug her off. Lavender crawled up and sat down on the other side of Links. She instinctively wrapped her tails around him. Links sighed and looked up at the sky. He had a sudden feeling to go there. He didn't know why.

"I have to go." he said quickly.

"What?" asked Bunnie totally shocked by his statement, "What do you mean go?"

"Uncle Links?" asked Lavender.

"I just have to go." he replied.

"Where?" asked Bunnie.

"I don't know."

"Don't tell me you going to go off like Chalk!" asked Bunnie removing her arm from his shoulder.

She looked at him with a slightly puzzled and worried expression. Links slowly turned to face her.

"No…nothing like that. I just have a strange feeling about something. It's as if I'm….."

Links trailed off and returned to looking at the sky.

"Well if you're going somewhere, I'm coming with you." said Lavender.

Links blinked and looked down at Lavender. Both her arms and her nine tails were wrapped around him tightly. She beamed up at him. Links was speechless.

"Um….Lavender….I….." he said.

"And if Lavender is going ah'm going to keep an eye on the both of you." said Bunnie raising an eyebrow.

"But." said Links.

"No buts Links sugah! Ah'm going with you."

"And so am I." said Lavender.

Links sighed. It was useless to resist he guessed.

"Alright then. I guess I would have to knock you out to stop you from coming with me." he said.

"Darn straight." said Bunnie with a nod.

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Morgan Jake smiled. Sat in the captain's chair on the bridge of the Phantom, he looked a very impressive figure. Sarah was unimpressed though. She stood at the base of the captain's chair looking up at him. Her expression showed her mood, bored out of her skull. She sighed.

"Now now Miss Mathews." said Morgan as he looked down at her.

Sarah just snorted at him. They had long ago disregarded rank and authority. They hated each other and that was all there was to it.

"Captain, we are approaching planet PX103." said an officer turning around from his console.

"Very good." replied Morgan, "Make ready to drop to normal space, prepare to shut down the stardrive engine."

"Aye sir."

Sarah turned to look out of the large bridge window. You couldn't tell it was a window right now. All she could see was blackness. Suddenly there was a shimmer in front of them. The blackness began to change. It shifted through red, orange and stopped on yellow. There was a low humming sound and the yellow colour formed into a giant vortex. The ship sailed straight into it and emerged into normal space. Behind it a pale green vortex closed and vanished. Sarah continued to look out of the window. She stared at the sight. There just off centre in the middle of the window was the shadowy form of a planet. She could see a sun burning brightly off to the upper left corner of the window. She looked at it and felt a familiar warmth. She blinked. Could it be?

"Jump successful captain." said an officer.

"Good, bring us into a high orbit." said Morgan.

He looked down at Sarah. She now had her eyes closed and was breathing deeply. Morgan nodded.

"I see that we have found the correct planet." he said.

Sarah snapped out of her trance and spun to look at him.

"So what are you going to do now? Can I go down there?" she asked eagerly.

Just then Morgan did something Sarah did not expect. He started to laugh. A cold sound that chilled her to the very bone. She blinked at him.

"What are you laughing at?" she said quietly.

"Oh Miss Mathews. You really are too much of a pushover. You really have no idea what we are doing here do you." answered Morgan.

"Wha….what? I thought we were here so myself and my son could return to our world."

Morgan laughed again.

"Yes maybe in the past that was the reason…but not any more." he said leaning forwards, "When you first appeared on Earth we were highly surprised. We had no clue where you had come from and were very curious. Curious about your world that is. What is it like? How come we have never found it before? But recently the question has been what's in it for us?"

Sarah's eyes widened.

"You don't mean…."

"Yes I do. If your planet had been highly technologically advanced then we would simply have opened an alliance with them. But it isn't. Our scouts showed that much. A low tech planet…at least in the important areas."

Morgan jumped from his chair and shouted across the bridge.

"All stations to ready status! Launch the attack!" he balled.