Finally, Sonic's voice broke through. "Hello? Are you two like, dead? We'd better get out of here before Butt-nik sends another bot."
We both blushed and Tails stood up. I got to my feet and brushed the leaves from my fur and we all walked through the forest back towards Knothole.
When we got back, a little guy in a uniform ran towards us. "What was zat?" he said, his thick French accent making him sound as though he had a serious nasal problem. "We heard an explosion and Rotor was using Nicole to do a sweep of zee area."
"It was a bot, but I am sure we weren't followed," I said.
"How would you know?" said the French guy. "Who eez zees?"
"Back off Antoine!" said Tails. "This is Haley, the girl we saved from Robotnik."
"This is Antoine D'Coolette, resident dork of Knothole," said Sonic, smirking.
"Zees eez not fair mes amis!" he said in frustration and stalked away.
I shook my head and laughed. I looked over at Tails and he was laughing too. Then Sally walked over. She had no idea that I knew who she was already.
"Sonic, where have you been?" she demanded.
He shrugged. "I was out running and Haley here was out looking for Tails. There was a bot that was too damn close to Knothole, so I destroyed it with an ever ready Sonic Spin and kicked some metal butt."
She rolled her eyes and walked over and gave him a hug. He smirked at Tails and me, and we immediately went into another fit of giggles. After a while we went into one of the houses. I was to stay in Sally's house with her and Bunnie.
Later that night as I lay in bed and looked out the window at the stars, I couldn't help but wonder why Robotnik had decided to choose me of all people to perform his experiment. He had obviously had Sally for a while, why not her? Why had he dragged me to Mobius in the first place?
::Am I ever going to see my home again?:: I thought miserably. I got up out of my makeshift bed. I tiptoed silently so I wouldn't wake Sally and Bunnie and walked out the door into the cool night air.
I walked to the edge of the woods and leaned against a tree. I couldn't seem to clear my mind of the thoughts that were running through my mind. Before I realized it, tears we flowing freely down my face.
"Haley, are you out here?" called out Tails' voice.
"Yes," I replied and he came over to where I stood. He took me into his arms and I cried into his shoulder.
We just stood there holding each other for a long time. He tried to send comforting thoughts into my mind, but they didn't work.
After I had finally calmed down I looked up to see that he had fallen asleep. I grinned, picked him up and set him against the tree in a sitting position. Then I sat down and nestled up against him and fell asleep.
* * *
"That was very stupid, you two!" Aunt Sally scolded.
"What if Robuttnik had somehow found Knothole, and you weren't within the protection of the huts?" Sonic snapped.
We both looked down at the ground. They had woken up to find us both missing. They had sent the whole village searching for and me and Haley. Aunt Sally found us behind her hut. Then she called for Sonic and they both were in the process of yelling at us.
"Well, can you two explain yourselves?" demanded Aunt Sally.
Haley looked up with tears in her eyes, but didn't say anything. I had a hold of her hand, and I could tell that she was restraining herself. I knew she wanted to tell them to go away, but it wasn't happening.
"Haley, what is your problem?" demanded Sonic angrily. That's when she snapped.
Pulling her hand from mine, she got in his face and yelled, tears streaming freely down her face. "My PROBLEM? You want to know MY PROBLEM? Let me sum it up for you: I was taken from my home with out any freaking regard as to what would happen to me. THEN I was turned into some kind of MONSTER BY THE SAME ASSHOLE! Now, I'm being interrogated because I was upset and I couldn't sleep! NEVERMIND THE FACT THAT I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS CAN BE REVERSED OR IF I CAN EVER GO HOME!"
She stood there, breathing heavily and struggling to keep herself from sobbing. Aunt Sally and Sonic looked at each other and shrugged at each other. I watched them in disbelief while they walked away and began to talk to each other quietly. Aunt Sally had pulled out Nicole, her little computer, and they were consulting with her on what they should do.
I turned to Haley. "Everything's gonna be all right, I promise," I told her, and took her shaking body into my arms.
"I want to go home," she sobbed into my shoulder. "I want to be human again."
"Shh," I said softly, and gently rocked her back and forth.
Aunt Sally and Sonic walked over. "Nicole says that your transformation can be reversed, but it may end up being more painful than the first," Sonic said and walked over. "She also said that your DNA is still partially human, which is why you are still female."
She refused to look at them. The only thing she said was a mumbled thank you. They turned and walked away, leaving us alone.
When they were gone, she looked up at me. "Tails, you are going to have to teach me how to fly before we even think about confronting Robotnik again."
* * *
"Lean over this way!" Tails yelled before I collided into another tree.
I caught a branch as I fell. He flew up in front of me. "Are you okay Haley?" he asked, even though he knew what my answer was going to be.
"Oh, I'm fine," I grinned and did a flip that sent me into the air again. I twirled my two tails and began to do a circle around him. He caught my hand and pulled me above the trees.
He pulled me through the air. He grabbed my other hand and we flew around in circles, laughing. Finally, we both held each other's hands as we hovered in the air.
I leaned toward him and tenderly pressed my mouth to his. We just hovered there like that, not aware of anything around us. After a little while, we broke apart and continued my flying lesson.
As Tails was showing me how to make a fast U-turn, I was suddenly aware of a hovercraft of some kind that was in the distance, but was coming towards us rapidly. I pointed it out to Tails.
"We need to lead it away from Knothole!" he yelled, and started flying straight towards the ship.
I nodded and followed him. As we got closer, I could make out the outline of Robotnik and a small human in the ship. From what the others had explained to me, this human was called Snively and he was a nasty little bugger.
"COME ON ROBOTNIK! BRING IT!" I shouted towards the ship and swerved down towards the forest.
"Surrender Haley, you have nowhere to run," he replied through a loudspeaker.
"Surrender to you, you fat tub of lard? I think not!" I yelled up to the ship as it swerved in my direction.
"Over here Buttnik!" shouted Tails and stuck his tongue out at the ship. A gun pointed in his direction and he easily dodged the shots.
The ship gained on me. I did a quick U-turn, just as Tails had shown me, and headed towards a rock formation. The ship turned, but a lot slower than I had. I was already several yards ahead of the ship as it came at me, shooting. Tails was right above the ship and made a dive and grabbed the top of the ship.
I was leading the ship in circles, but I was getting tired. He knew that he was tiring me out, too. Soon, I dive into the forest, which is very risky because I had to dodge trees.
He was shooting the trees as I flew. I took one second to look back. Tails was climbing across the top towards the guns. He grabbed them and pulled on them with all of his strength. They came off in his hands and immediately the trees around me stopped turning into burning splinters. I tried to slow myself down as I flew, but my velocity was too great. I plummeted to the ground. I heard the dull crack and realized that my shoulder must have been broken. I cried out in pain as the ship hovered just above me.
* * *
I let go of the top of the ship and flew into the air. Haley couldn't slow herself down and I watched her hit the ground just as his ship hovered over her. I heard her shriek as a claw extended from the ship and picked her up from the ground. As the ship began to make its way back up into the air, I flew at it and began beating the window with all the strength I had left.
"And where do you think you're going Robotnik?" I heard a voice yell from above and a red streak flew through the air and cut the claw in half. It was Knuckles!
Knuckles the echidna was guardian of a place called the Floating Island. He has saved our butts quite a few times. He saved Sonic when he was framed for Aunt Sally's 'death' five years ago, and he helped us fight against Robotnik and we seriously kicked some flabby butt.
I flew and grabbed the claw just before it hit the ground. I twirled my tails as fast as I could to get some lift, but I was slowly falling closer to the ground. I knew I couldn't let go of it. Haley was limp, her head rolling back and forth as I tried to keep the claw up in the air.
"Knux! I can't hold this thing forever!" I yelled up, but he was busy disabling the hovercraft's engines. Finally, tail stuck firmly between his legs, Robotnik turned his ship around and flew away.
"KNUX!" I yelled as I lost my grip and the claw that held Haley fell towards the ground.
A streak of blue jumped into the air and caught the piece of metal just before it hit the ground. I flew and landed, panting from fatigue. I caught my breath as Knuckles landed and helped Sonic pry the metal apart to get her free.
"Is she going to be all right?" I said, still breathing heavily.
"I dunno, bud. It looks as if she's been through a rough time," Sonic said.
"Her shoulder is dislocated. Other than some minor injuries, she appears to be okay," said Knuckles, leaning over to examine her body.
"I'll carry her back," I said and began to walk towards her.
Both Sonic and Knuckles put out their hands to stop me. "Sorry, Tails. You're too damn tired. You'll barely make it back to Knothole, let alone with a load with you. Get back to Knothole and take a break."
"But...!" I protested.
"No 'buts' Tails! Go to Knothole!" said Knuckles in annoyance.
::I'm sixteen and they still treat me as though I am a kid!:: I thought in frustration as I turned and walked through the forest.
When I got back to Knothole, Sally ran to me and instantly began fussing.
"Tails, are you hurt? Is Sonic okay? Where's Haley?" she demanded.
"Sonic's fine, he and Knuckles are bringing Haley back, and I have been ordered to take a break," I snapped, and walked past her and into my hut. I slammed the door shut and then climbed into my bed. I curled into a little ball and fell asleep.
* * *
A few hours later I was shaken awake. I groaned. "Just a few more minutes Sonic!"
A voice laughed. "Just because I am in a way partially identical to Sonic does not mean that I am him. Hell, I'm not even a guy."
I rolled over and smiled. Haley stood next to my bed with her arms crossed, a grin on her face. It appeared that Dr. Quack fixed her shoulder, and she had little cuts all over her, but she appeared to be doing just fine.
I pulled her over and kissed her on the forehead. She sat down next to me and ran her fingers through the fur on my head.
"So, have a nice nap?" she asked.
"Yep," I said and sat up. I put my arm around her shoulders and she rested her head on my arm.
She sighed. "Sonic was arguing with Knuckles when I woke up. Knuckles thinks that I was brought here to bring destruction to the freedom fighters and he thinks that's exactly what I am going to do. He told Sonic to keep us two apart. When Sonic wouldn't agree with him, Knuckles got fed up and left."
I shook my head. "Why would you bring destruction? It's not like it's your fault that you're here. Besides, the only thing you seem intent on doing is going home." I looked away and my voice caught in my throat as I almost said, "And leaving me."
She put her hand on the opposite side of my face and made me look into her eyes. "Tails, somehow I don't think that me leaving Earth would make that much of a difference. Besides, somehow I feel as though that it is not my real home."
I pressed my mouth to hers and kissed her passionately. When we broke apart, she was a little bewildered. We both jumped when someone knocked on the door.
"Tails, is Haley in there with ya?" called Bunnie's voice.
"Yes, why?"
"The sugah hog wanted to talk to the both of ya's," she replied. "He says it's important. Ah'd move it if I was you."
We both looked at each other and then jumped up. We walked to the door and opened it. Bunnie lead the way to the meetinghouse.
* * *
"Knuckles warning is undeniably one we should pay attention to," Sally was saying.
Apparently Sonic had told Sally about Knuckle's warning. Sally had gotten worried about it, although I couldn't quite understand why.
::How the hell am I a threat the freedom fighters when all I want to do is become human again?:: I thought miserably as Sally continued to speak. I blinked at that thought. ::Wait a second. What's wrong with staying the way I am?::
"Therefore," Sally said. "We are sending Haley away to the Floating Island, where she will be safe from Robotnik, and the freedom fighters will be safe from her until we can figure out what to do."
"NO!" Tails yelled and ran at me. Sonic and Bunnie grabbed him and held him back.
I collapsed into a chair in shock. I just stared at the people that I thought were my friends. Tails struggled against Bunnie and Sonic as Sally and Antoine made me stand up and they led me away to a place in the woods where Knuckles stood waiting. Then he took my hand and dragged me upwards into the air, away from Knothole and the one I loved the most.
We landed on a beautiful island. Knuckles let me land first and then I landed after him. I followed him back to a row of caves. I just looked at the ground as I walked, trying to keep myself from flying back to Knothole.
"I will be with you at all times," Knuckles said. "You are not to go anywhere without me or without permission. If you are caught trying to leave this island, then you will be punished."
I looked up and glared at him. "You know, it's not my fault Robotnik brought me here AGAINST MY WILL, mind you. It's not my fault my appearance is the way it is and it is not my fault that you seem to find me threatening."
He showed me to a little cave that had a small room carved into the wall. It had a door, which I was glad for. Knuckles opened it and let me inside. It had a small window on the far wall. There was room enough for a bed, a desk, and a nightstand. I walked in and sat on the bed. He shut and locked the door. I laid down on the bed and cried myself to sleep.
* * *
"Tails, open this door NOW!" yelled Aunt Sally.
"No!" I sobbed.
"C'mon sugah fox. She was just doing this for your own good," called out Bunnie in an attempt to ease my anger.
"My own good? MY OWN GOOD?!" I screeched. "You took away the one I care for the most and you tell me IT'S FOR MY OWN GOOD?! GO AWAY!"
"C'mon, bud. At lease she's safe from Robotnik," said Sonic.
"She would have been safe with me, here in Knothole," I sobbed. "You trusted her before, and then you listened to that stupid red idiot!"
"Petit Tails, you are not seeing zee danger of keeping hair here," said Antoine. I heard muffled voices behind the door telling him to shut up.
"Fine, have it your way," Aunt Sally sighed and then there was silence behind the door.
The day Haley was taken away, I just gave up on life. I had been crying myself to sleep every night for the last week. I had locked myself in mine and Sonic's cabin, not letting anyone in and not letting myself out. I had scarcely eaten anything, and everyday I could hear gossip from the people passing my door.
"Poor Tails, they said, the poor boy had no idea what he had gotten himself into. The poor little Prower, it wasn't his fault he didn't see Haley for what she was." They often told of how Haley was a seductress, a new kind of robot for Robotnik, sent to kill us all. "All humans were evil beings, especially the ones in league with Robotnik, even Haley."
But they didn't know her like I did. No one has seen into her mind. I knew she was still human deep down somewhere, but she had shown her true colors as a Mobian, even though she was human. She was a good person, but I knew that no one would ever believe me.
* * *
"Haley, I have your food here," Knuckles' voice called from behind the door.
I continued to stare out the window and replied with silence. He opened the door and nearly had a fit.
"You've hardly touched your food!" he yelled. "Do you have a problem with my cooking or something?"
Again, I said nothing. For the past week, I had not left that room for anything except for to go to the bathroom. My fur was matted and filthy, and I had barely eaten anything at all. My eyes were red and puffy from crying and lack of sleep.
Why had they taken me away from Tails and Knothole? What had I done wrong? No one had explained to me why the people who once trusted me had turned their backs and sent me away. I wasn't a threat, and the only one that believed me was Tails. But I could get to him and I knew I couldn't get off the island without Knuckles finding out.
I turned to Knuckles. "I'm not hungry, that's all," I said calmly.
He sat down in the chair next to my bed. He looked at me in the eye. "What do you want, Haley?"
I looked at him in disbelief. "What do you think? I want Tails back, and I want the freedom fighters to trust me again. But thanks to YOU I have nothing," I snapped.
He shook his head sadly. "It was gut instinct, Haley. You see, I can be suspicious easily. I wouldn't be guardian of this island if I wasn't," he explained. "When I saw you I saw a threat. I should have gotten to know you better. As for Princess Sally Acorn's decision, I can't change her decision to leave you here. However, I can see if I can bring Tails here to you."
My ears perked up. "Really?"
"Sure, why not? It's the least I can do," he said and shrugged. Then a wicked grin spread across his face. "Now, are you going to eat or not?"
I grabbed the food and shoved it in my mouth as fast as I could, my hunger returning with a vengeance. I had it down in less than seven minutes.
Knuckles showed me to a place where I could bathe and left me there alone. It was a little lake inside of a cave that was surprisingly quite warm.
I walked in. It was shallow for a few feet, and then it dropped suddenly. The water was crystal clear and I could easily see the bottom. I dove and swam towards the surface below, looking at the shiny objects. There was a round gold ring in the middle of a small pile of shiny stones.
I went up to the surface for air and dove back under the water. I swam towards the pile, but the ring was gone! I looked around and the ring was moving quickly through the water about ten feet ahead of me. I swam quickly towards it. I was slowly gaining, but my lungs were on fire. I went up again, took a quick breath of air, and continued swimming after the ring. After a while I did catch up to it. I grabbed and yanked it free from the force that was holding it and began to swim back towards the surface.
Something wrapped itself around my ankle and began to pull me backwards. I pulled against the force, but it wasn't working. Without warning, I felt a huge burst of energy. I broke free of the force that pulled me, shot towards the surface and up out of the water. I landed on the shore hard. I sat up and looked at the ring in wonder; it seemed to shine with a light from within.
Knuckles ran to me. "Haley, are you all right?" he said frantically, and his eyes enlarged when he saw the glowing object in my hand. "You found a power ring!"
"A what?"
"A power ring! It gives the person who uses it a huge energy burst!" he explained. "How did you figure out how to use it?"
"I don't know," I replied and explained to him how I found the power ring. He rubbed his chin. "I have no idea what could have been in the water, but I'll send someone in to investigate it."
I looked at the ring in my hands. I turned it over and over, just inspecting it. "Can I keep it?" I asked Knuckles as I got to my feet, still looking at it.
"Sure, why not?" he replied and led the way back out of the cave.
We walked to the edge of the island. I looked down and jumped back. I could see the ocean below, and the edge of the mainland. Far off in the distance I could see the black smoke rising from Robotnik's dreaded city. I shuddered.
"Now, don't you leave this area until I come back. If you see any signs of Robotnik or anyone else I want you to hide in the wood. My people are around here and will protect you if you need it," he said. "Keep this ring with you at all times. Don't lose it. You haven't used up all of the energy in it yet, so it may prove to be useful."
"Okay," I said softly and he rose into the air and flew towards the mainland.
* * *
"Tails, I swear to God I am going to break down the door and drag you out here by your ears!" Sonic yelled in frustration.
"I don't care," I whispered to myself. I was sitting in a corner in a little ball.
"Sonic, wait," Knuckles' voice said and Sonic instantly stopped his retort to my silence.
I stood up and walked to the door. I pressed my ear against it so I could hear what they were saying.
"Knux, what do you want?" he demanded.
"My judgment on the young human was wrong," Knuckles replied, a hint of shame in his voice. "I shouldn't have judged her right away. She has barely eaten, and she wouldn't leave her room for much of anything until I finally convinced her I'd come and talk to you."
"What are you suggesting?" Sonic demanded.
"I want to take Tails to the island to be with her. I think she deserves it after the way we treated her," Knux explained.
Hope rose in my chest. Sonic stood there for a few minutes, silent. Then he sighed. "Fine. But they stay up there until Sally reaches her decision. I'll tell her that Tails is up there with you."
I opened the door and in a flurry of motion and hugged Sonic and then Knuckles. I began to rise in the air, but Sonic pulled me back down.
"Hold on little buddy," he said. "You look like you were thrown into one of Buttnik's garbage pits. You are cleaning yourself off before you go anywhere."
"Awwwwwww, but Sonic," I pretended to whine and grinned for the first time in a week. "Thanks, man." He shook his head and pointed in the direction of the pond.
"Somehow I would think that a walking garbage dump would be a MAJOR turn-off," Knuckles said with a chuckle.
I went to the pond and jumped in headfirst. I swam around for a minute, getting used to the water. Then I cleaned and scrubbed myself. When I was done I climbed out and shook myself off. I shook the water from my feet as I walked back to my hut to get my shoes. Knuckles was already in the air, waiting for me. I twirled my two tails and rose into the air. Then I turned and waved at Sonic and we flew towards the Floating Island.
* * *
I paced back and forth impatiently. ::Where were they?:: I thought in frustration. Knuckles had been gone for what felt like hours.
I watched the horizon, even though I knew it would be a bit longer for him to show up, especially if Knuckles had to negotiate anything with Sally.
My pacing became more frantic. ::What if they don't come back?:: I thought fearfully. ::What if Tails is killed?:: I stopped pacing for a moment and watched the horizon again.
Two shapes flew towards the island. I squinted my eyes, and then nearly jumped up and down with joy. Tails shouted and waved wildly at me as he flew towards the island. Knuckles shook his head as they drew closer.
I jumped into the air and twirled my tails around. I flew to Tails and grabbed his hand and Knuckles and pulled them both to the island so fast that they had barely any time to comprehend what was going on.
When we had all landed safely on the island, Tails and Knuckles looked at me strangely.
"What?" I said, confused. "What's wrong?"
"Haley, do you know what you just did?" inquired Tails thoughtfully.
"Ummmmm... No, not really. Do you want to enlighten me?"
They looked at each other and shrugged. "Haley, you move as fast as Sonic," explained Tails.
"I do?" I said in amazement and they both nodded. I ran my fingers through the fur on my head. I shook my head and laughed.
"What?" said Tails. "What's so funny?"
I shrugged. "Whatever Robotnik has turned me into, he seems to have done it well."
"Explain," said Knuckles. "I'm not quite sure what you're getting at."
"Well, first he altered my DNA, but kept it so that instead of making me entirely male, it remained female. That much I think was an accident. Somehow I don't honestly believe he cared whether or not I remained female," I explained.
"But what about Sonic's speed or my flight?" asked Tails.
"I think he somehow made it so that I could acquire both talents and put them together in perfect harmony," I replied. "He has to have some scientist working for him somewhere because it is simply not possible for his fat head to know this.
"My minor telepathic abilities could have something to do with my human DNA for all I know. That part I'm not so sure on, mainly because I'm not quite sure how anyone can pull something like that off intentionally.
"I think that Robotnik needs me, mainly because that if he can duplicate more like me, then he can create an army more effective than his robots," I said gravely.
They were both silent for a moment. "You've had a lot of time to think about this, haven't you?" asked Tails softly.
"Yes I have. I've been thinking it ever since I became like this," I replied. "And I think that he or someone else knows exactly where I am."
"Why is that?" inquired Knuckles.
"Because I felt their presence on the island. My minor telepathy has grown considerably," I replied.
* * *
"This fox-hog is intelligent," said the cloaked figure in front of the screen, watching the threesome's discussion.
"Yes. She will be very useful to us," replied another figure, but this one was not cloaked.
"We must help her stop Robotnik," piped up another voice, younger than the other two.
The cloaked one shook her head. "No. That she must do herself. We will approach her when the time is right."
"The fox-hog is almost ready," said the second one. "We cannot wait much longer, Queen Aria."
"You will wait, Tobias," replied Aria, who lowered the hood of her cloak to fix the two with a piercing stare. "She is not ready yet!"
"Yes, your Highness," Tobias and the younger girl mumbled.
"You are dismissed," Aria said and turned back to the screen.
* * *
Haley and I flew through the air above the many trees while Knuckles and his associates combed the island for intruders. We had been given specific orders as to where we were to stay and so on. But, needless to say, we were together again and delightfully happy.
We sat on a branch in one of the tallest trees. I slipped my arm around her shoulders and she leaned her head on my arm.
"Why should I return to Earth?" she said softly, more to herself than to me. "This place will be wonderful after Robotnik is gone."
"Yes it will," I breathed and she looked into my eyes. I put my hand to the side of her face and stroked the fur on her cheek gently.
"I can't imagine living my life without you Tails," she whispered, leaning in close. "It would be so empty without you beside me."
"You can't leave," I said softly and grinned. "And if that means I have to chain you to a tree to make you stay, then I will."
She smiled, and gently pressed her mouth to mine. When we broke apart, she looked straight into my eyes and said, "I love you."
My heart fluttered. That was the first time either one of us had uttered those words aloud, let alone to each other.
I pulled her into my arms and held her there for a while. We sat that way for a little while, then I whispered in her ear, "I love you too, Haley."
We broke apart and were silent for a few short moments. Then we started in on talking about her family and her life on Earth.
"My dad once took us all hiking, just when my youngest sister was two. We were on a trail, looking for a waterfall. When we got there, it was so beautiful. The water was so clean and lovely," she said and laughed. "They would have loved it here."
"They would have loved Knothole," I said. "Robotnik has destroyed a good portion of Mobius. The parts he's destroyed are not good places to be."
"If we could've gotten rid of all of the people on Earth like that ass, then Earth sure would be just as beautiful as this little part of this planet," she explained. "In my time, the ozone layer is being destroyed by pollutants that people burn in the air."
"You mean, many people go with this? They would just destroy their planet without a second thought?" I said, taken aback.
"Yes, and there are far to many of those kinds of people. But, some of my people are kind-hearted, too. There are those that fight the losing battle to protect the environment." She sighed. "There are too few of those kinds of people."
I looked out at the horizon. As the sun began to set, I noticed three objects flying towards the island, fast approaching. I squinted my eyes. I couldn't tell what they were, but I got a bad feeling about them.
"Haley, get down!" I yelled, and I jumped off the branch and to the ground.
* * *
Tails twirled his tails around and gently landed. He looked up and saw me still sitting there on the branch.
"C'mon Haley! Let's go!" he called anxiously as I watched the figures approach.
"Wait a minute," I replied in frustration, focusing my mind and then casting my telepathic range at a wider distance. I couldn't keep it up for long, but I got a brief glimpse into the minds of the ones fast approaching us.
"Tails, it's Robotnik and Snively!" I called down as I jumped from the branch. "I couldn't get the identity of the other one, but this doesn't look good."
He grabbed my hand. "What should we do?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. If worse comes to worse for me, just get out. I can't keep running from him forever."
He stared at me. "What are you saying?"
I sighed. "I'm saying that if I get captured, don't come after me."
We both blushed and Tails stood up. I got to my feet and brushed the leaves from my fur and we all walked through the forest back towards Knothole.
When we got back, a little guy in a uniform ran towards us. "What was zat?" he said, his thick French accent making him sound as though he had a serious nasal problem. "We heard an explosion and Rotor was using Nicole to do a sweep of zee area."
"It was a bot, but I am sure we weren't followed," I said.
"How would you know?" said the French guy. "Who eez zees?"
"Back off Antoine!" said Tails. "This is Haley, the girl we saved from Robotnik."
"This is Antoine D'Coolette, resident dork of Knothole," said Sonic, smirking.
"Zees eez not fair mes amis!" he said in frustration and stalked away.
I shook my head and laughed. I looked over at Tails and he was laughing too. Then Sally walked over. She had no idea that I knew who she was already.
"Sonic, where have you been?" she demanded.
He shrugged. "I was out running and Haley here was out looking for Tails. There was a bot that was too damn close to Knothole, so I destroyed it with an ever ready Sonic Spin and kicked some metal butt."
She rolled her eyes and walked over and gave him a hug. He smirked at Tails and me, and we immediately went into another fit of giggles. After a while we went into one of the houses. I was to stay in Sally's house with her and Bunnie.
Later that night as I lay in bed and looked out the window at the stars, I couldn't help but wonder why Robotnik had decided to choose me of all people to perform his experiment. He had obviously had Sally for a while, why not her? Why had he dragged me to Mobius in the first place?
::Am I ever going to see my home again?:: I thought miserably. I got up out of my makeshift bed. I tiptoed silently so I wouldn't wake Sally and Bunnie and walked out the door into the cool night air.
I walked to the edge of the woods and leaned against a tree. I couldn't seem to clear my mind of the thoughts that were running through my mind. Before I realized it, tears we flowing freely down my face.
"Haley, are you out here?" called out Tails' voice.
"Yes," I replied and he came over to where I stood. He took me into his arms and I cried into his shoulder.
We just stood there holding each other for a long time. He tried to send comforting thoughts into my mind, but they didn't work.
After I had finally calmed down I looked up to see that he had fallen asleep. I grinned, picked him up and set him against the tree in a sitting position. Then I sat down and nestled up against him and fell asleep.
* * *
"That was very stupid, you two!" Aunt Sally scolded.
"What if Robuttnik had somehow found Knothole, and you weren't within the protection of the huts?" Sonic snapped.
We both looked down at the ground. They had woken up to find us both missing. They had sent the whole village searching for and me and Haley. Aunt Sally found us behind her hut. Then she called for Sonic and they both were in the process of yelling at us.
"Well, can you two explain yourselves?" demanded Aunt Sally.
Haley looked up with tears in her eyes, but didn't say anything. I had a hold of her hand, and I could tell that she was restraining herself. I knew she wanted to tell them to go away, but it wasn't happening.
"Haley, what is your problem?" demanded Sonic angrily. That's when she snapped.
Pulling her hand from mine, she got in his face and yelled, tears streaming freely down her face. "My PROBLEM? You want to know MY PROBLEM? Let me sum it up for you: I was taken from my home with out any freaking regard as to what would happen to me. THEN I was turned into some kind of MONSTER BY THE SAME ASSHOLE! Now, I'm being interrogated because I was upset and I couldn't sleep! NEVERMIND THE FACT THAT I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS CAN BE REVERSED OR IF I CAN EVER GO HOME!"
She stood there, breathing heavily and struggling to keep herself from sobbing. Aunt Sally and Sonic looked at each other and shrugged at each other. I watched them in disbelief while they walked away and began to talk to each other quietly. Aunt Sally had pulled out Nicole, her little computer, and they were consulting with her on what they should do.
I turned to Haley. "Everything's gonna be all right, I promise," I told her, and took her shaking body into my arms.
"I want to go home," she sobbed into my shoulder. "I want to be human again."
"Shh," I said softly, and gently rocked her back and forth.
Aunt Sally and Sonic walked over. "Nicole says that your transformation can be reversed, but it may end up being more painful than the first," Sonic said and walked over. "She also said that your DNA is still partially human, which is why you are still female."
She refused to look at them. The only thing she said was a mumbled thank you. They turned and walked away, leaving us alone.
When they were gone, she looked up at me. "Tails, you are going to have to teach me how to fly before we even think about confronting Robotnik again."
* * *
"Lean over this way!" Tails yelled before I collided into another tree.
I caught a branch as I fell. He flew up in front of me. "Are you okay Haley?" he asked, even though he knew what my answer was going to be.
"Oh, I'm fine," I grinned and did a flip that sent me into the air again. I twirled my two tails and began to do a circle around him. He caught my hand and pulled me above the trees.
He pulled me through the air. He grabbed my other hand and we flew around in circles, laughing. Finally, we both held each other's hands as we hovered in the air.
I leaned toward him and tenderly pressed my mouth to his. We just hovered there like that, not aware of anything around us. After a little while, we broke apart and continued my flying lesson.
As Tails was showing me how to make a fast U-turn, I was suddenly aware of a hovercraft of some kind that was in the distance, but was coming towards us rapidly. I pointed it out to Tails.
"We need to lead it away from Knothole!" he yelled, and started flying straight towards the ship.
I nodded and followed him. As we got closer, I could make out the outline of Robotnik and a small human in the ship. From what the others had explained to me, this human was called Snively and he was a nasty little bugger.
"COME ON ROBOTNIK! BRING IT!" I shouted towards the ship and swerved down towards the forest.
"Surrender Haley, you have nowhere to run," he replied through a loudspeaker.
"Surrender to you, you fat tub of lard? I think not!" I yelled up to the ship as it swerved in my direction.
"Over here Buttnik!" shouted Tails and stuck his tongue out at the ship. A gun pointed in his direction and he easily dodged the shots.
The ship gained on me. I did a quick U-turn, just as Tails had shown me, and headed towards a rock formation. The ship turned, but a lot slower than I had. I was already several yards ahead of the ship as it came at me, shooting. Tails was right above the ship and made a dive and grabbed the top of the ship.
I was leading the ship in circles, but I was getting tired. He knew that he was tiring me out, too. Soon, I dive into the forest, which is very risky because I had to dodge trees.
He was shooting the trees as I flew. I took one second to look back. Tails was climbing across the top towards the guns. He grabbed them and pulled on them with all of his strength. They came off in his hands and immediately the trees around me stopped turning into burning splinters. I tried to slow myself down as I flew, but my velocity was too great. I plummeted to the ground. I heard the dull crack and realized that my shoulder must have been broken. I cried out in pain as the ship hovered just above me.
* * *
I let go of the top of the ship and flew into the air. Haley couldn't slow herself down and I watched her hit the ground just as his ship hovered over her. I heard her shriek as a claw extended from the ship and picked her up from the ground. As the ship began to make its way back up into the air, I flew at it and began beating the window with all the strength I had left.
"And where do you think you're going Robotnik?" I heard a voice yell from above and a red streak flew through the air and cut the claw in half. It was Knuckles!
Knuckles the echidna was guardian of a place called the Floating Island. He has saved our butts quite a few times. He saved Sonic when he was framed for Aunt Sally's 'death' five years ago, and he helped us fight against Robotnik and we seriously kicked some flabby butt.
I flew and grabbed the claw just before it hit the ground. I twirled my tails as fast as I could to get some lift, but I was slowly falling closer to the ground. I knew I couldn't let go of it. Haley was limp, her head rolling back and forth as I tried to keep the claw up in the air.
"Knux! I can't hold this thing forever!" I yelled up, but he was busy disabling the hovercraft's engines. Finally, tail stuck firmly between his legs, Robotnik turned his ship around and flew away.
"KNUX!" I yelled as I lost my grip and the claw that held Haley fell towards the ground.
A streak of blue jumped into the air and caught the piece of metal just before it hit the ground. I flew and landed, panting from fatigue. I caught my breath as Knuckles landed and helped Sonic pry the metal apart to get her free.
"Is she going to be all right?" I said, still breathing heavily.
"I dunno, bud. It looks as if she's been through a rough time," Sonic said.
"Her shoulder is dislocated. Other than some minor injuries, she appears to be okay," said Knuckles, leaning over to examine her body.
"I'll carry her back," I said and began to walk towards her.
Both Sonic and Knuckles put out their hands to stop me. "Sorry, Tails. You're too damn tired. You'll barely make it back to Knothole, let alone with a load with you. Get back to Knothole and take a break."
"But...!" I protested.
"No 'buts' Tails! Go to Knothole!" said Knuckles in annoyance.
::I'm sixteen and they still treat me as though I am a kid!:: I thought in frustration as I turned and walked through the forest.
When I got back to Knothole, Sally ran to me and instantly began fussing.
"Tails, are you hurt? Is Sonic okay? Where's Haley?" she demanded.
"Sonic's fine, he and Knuckles are bringing Haley back, and I have been ordered to take a break," I snapped, and walked past her and into my hut. I slammed the door shut and then climbed into my bed. I curled into a little ball and fell asleep.
* * *
A few hours later I was shaken awake. I groaned. "Just a few more minutes Sonic!"
A voice laughed. "Just because I am in a way partially identical to Sonic does not mean that I am him. Hell, I'm not even a guy."
I rolled over and smiled. Haley stood next to my bed with her arms crossed, a grin on her face. It appeared that Dr. Quack fixed her shoulder, and she had little cuts all over her, but she appeared to be doing just fine.
I pulled her over and kissed her on the forehead. She sat down next to me and ran her fingers through the fur on my head.
"So, have a nice nap?" she asked.
"Yep," I said and sat up. I put my arm around her shoulders and she rested her head on my arm.
She sighed. "Sonic was arguing with Knuckles when I woke up. Knuckles thinks that I was brought here to bring destruction to the freedom fighters and he thinks that's exactly what I am going to do. He told Sonic to keep us two apart. When Sonic wouldn't agree with him, Knuckles got fed up and left."
I shook my head. "Why would you bring destruction? It's not like it's your fault that you're here. Besides, the only thing you seem intent on doing is going home." I looked away and my voice caught in my throat as I almost said, "And leaving me."
She put her hand on the opposite side of my face and made me look into her eyes. "Tails, somehow I don't think that me leaving Earth would make that much of a difference. Besides, somehow I feel as though that it is not my real home."
I pressed my mouth to hers and kissed her passionately. When we broke apart, she was a little bewildered. We both jumped when someone knocked on the door.
"Tails, is Haley in there with ya?" called Bunnie's voice.
"Yes, why?"
"The sugah hog wanted to talk to the both of ya's," she replied. "He says it's important. Ah'd move it if I was you."
We both looked at each other and then jumped up. We walked to the door and opened it. Bunnie lead the way to the meetinghouse.
* * *
"Knuckles warning is undeniably one we should pay attention to," Sally was saying.
Apparently Sonic had told Sally about Knuckle's warning. Sally had gotten worried about it, although I couldn't quite understand why.
::How the hell am I a threat the freedom fighters when all I want to do is become human again?:: I thought miserably as Sally continued to speak. I blinked at that thought. ::Wait a second. What's wrong with staying the way I am?::
"Therefore," Sally said. "We are sending Haley away to the Floating Island, where she will be safe from Robotnik, and the freedom fighters will be safe from her until we can figure out what to do."
"NO!" Tails yelled and ran at me. Sonic and Bunnie grabbed him and held him back.
I collapsed into a chair in shock. I just stared at the people that I thought were my friends. Tails struggled against Bunnie and Sonic as Sally and Antoine made me stand up and they led me away to a place in the woods where Knuckles stood waiting. Then he took my hand and dragged me upwards into the air, away from Knothole and the one I loved the most.
We landed on a beautiful island. Knuckles let me land first and then I landed after him. I followed him back to a row of caves. I just looked at the ground as I walked, trying to keep myself from flying back to Knothole.
"I will be with you at all times," Knuckles said. "You are not to go anywhere without me or without permission. If you are caught trying to leave this island, then you will be punished."
I looked up and glared at him. "You know, it's not my fault Robotnik brought me here AGAINST MY WILL, mind you. It's not my fault my appearance is the way it is and it is not my fault that you seem to find me threatening."
He showed me to a little cave that had a small room carved into the wall. It had a door, which I was glad for. Knuckles opened it and let me inside. It had a small window on the far wall. There was room enough for a bed, a desk, and a nightstand. I walked in and sat on the bed. He shut and locked the door. I laid down on the bed and cried myself to sleep.
* * *
"Tails, open this door NOW!" yelled Aunt Sally.
"No!" I sobbed.
"C'mon sugah fox. She was just doing this for your own good," called out Bunnie in an attempt to ease my anger.
"My own good? MY OWN GOOD?!" I screeched. "You took away the one I care for the most and you tell me IT'S FOR MY OWN GOOD?! GO AWAY!"
"C'mon, bud. At lease she's safe from Robotnik," said Sonic.
"She would have been safe with me, here in Knothole," I sobbed. "You trusted her before, and then you listened to that stupid red idiot!"
"Petit Tails, you are not seeing zee danger of keeping hair here," said Antoine. I heard muffled voices behind the door telling him to shut up.
"Fine, have it your way," Aunt Sally sighed and then there was silence behind the door.
The day Haley was taken away, I just gave up on life. I had been crying myself to sleep every night for the last week. I had locked myself in mine and Sonic's cabin, not letting anyone in and not letting myself out. I had scarcely eaten anything, and everyday I could hear gossip from the people passing my door.
"Poor Tails, they said, the poor boy had no idea what he had gotten himself into. The poor little Prower, it wasn't his fault he didn't see Haley for what she was." They often told of how Haley was a seductress, a new kind of robot for Robotnik, sent to kill us all. "All humans were evil beings, especially the ones in league with Robotnik, even Haley."
But they didn't know her like I did. No one has seen into her mind. I knew she was still human deep down somewhere, but she had shown her true colors as a Mobian, even though she was human. She was a good person, but I knew that no one would ever believe me.
* * *
"Haley, I have your food here," Knuckles' voice called from behind the door.
I continued to stare out the window and replied with silence. He opened the door and nearly had a fit.
"You've hardly touched your food!" he yelled. "Do you have a problem with my cooking or something?"
Again, I said nothing. For the past week, I had not left that room for anything except for to go to the bathroom. My fur was matted and filthy, and I had barely eaten anything at all. My eyes were red and puffy from crying and lack of sleep.
Why had they taken me away from Tails and Knothole? What had I done wrong? No one had explained to me why the people who once trusted me had turned their backs and sent me away. I wasn't a threat, and the only one that believed me was Tails. But I could get to him and I knew I couldn't get off the island without Knuckles finding out.
I turned to Knuckles. "I'm not hungry, that's all," I said calmly.
He sat down in the chair next to my bed. He looked at me in the eye. "What do you want, Haley?"
I looked at him in disbelief. "What do you think? I want Tails back, and I want the freedom fighters to trust me again. But thanks to YOU I have nothing," I snapped.
He shook his head sadly. "It was gut instinct, Haley. You see, I can be suspicious easily. I wouldn't be guardian of this island if I wasn't," he explained. "When I saw you I saw a threat. I should have gotten to know you better. As for Princess Sally Acorn's decision, I can't change her decision to leave you here. However, I can see if I can bring Tails here to you."
My ears perked up. "Really?"
"Sure, why not? It's the least I can do," he said and shrugged. Then a wicked grin spread across his face. "Now, are you going to eat or not?"
I grabbed the food and shoved it in my mouth as fast as I could, my hunger returning with a vengeance. I had it down in less than seven minutes.
Knuckles showed me to a place where I could bathe and left me there alone. It was a little lake inside of a cave that was surprisingly quite warm.
I walked in. It was shallow for a few feet, and then it dropped suddenly. The water was crystal clear and I could easily see the bottom. I dove and swam towards the surface below, looking at the shiny objects. There was a round gold ring in the middle of a small pile of shiny stones.
I went up to the surface for air and dove back under the water. I swam towards the pile, but the ring was gone! I looked around and the ring was moving quickly through the water about ten feet ahead of me. I swam quickly towards it. I was slowly gaining, but my lungs were on fire. I went up again, took a quick breath of air, and continued swimming after the ring. After a while I did catch up to it. I grabbed and yanked it free from the force that was holding it and began to swim back towards the surface.
Something wrapped itself around my ankle and began to pull me backwards. I pulled against the force, but it wasn't working. Without warning, I felt a huge burst of energy. I broke free of the force that pulled me, shot towards the surface and up out of the water. I landed on the shore hard. I sat up and looked at the ring in wonder; it seemed to shine with a light from within.
Knuckles ran to me. "Haley, are you all right?" he said frantically, and his eyes enlarged when he saw the glowing object in my hand. "You found a power ring!"
"A what?"
"A power ring! It gives the person who uses it a huge energy burst!" he explained. "How did you figure out how to use it?"
"I don't know," I replied and explained to him how I found the power ring. He rubbed his chin. "I have no idea what could have been in the water, but I'll send someone in to investigate it."
I looked at the ring in my hands. I turned it over and over, just inspecting it. "Can I keep it?" I asked Knuckles as I got to my feet, still looking at it.
"Sure, why not?" he replied and led the way back out of the cave.
We walked to the edge of the island. I looked down and jumped back. I could see the ocean below, and the edge of the mainland. Far off in the distance I could see the black smoke rising from Robotnik's dreaded city. I shuddered.
"Now, don't you leave this area until I come back. If you see any signs of Robotnik or anyone else I want you to hide in the wood. My people are around here and will protect you if you need it," he said. "Keep this ring with you at all times. Don't lose it. You haven't used up all of the energy in it yet, so it may prove to be useful."
"Okay," I said softly and he rose into the air and flew towards the mainland.
* * *
"Tails, I swear to God I am going to break down the door and drag you out here by your ears!" Sonic yelled in frustration.
"I don't care," I whispered to myself. I was sitting in a corner in a little ball.
"Sonic, wait," Knuckles' voice said and Sonic instantly stopped his retort to my silence.
I stood up and walked to the door. I pressed my ear against it so I could hear what they were saying.
"Knux, what do you want?" he demanded.
"My judgment on the young human was wrong," Knuckles replied, a hint of shame in his voice. "I shouldn't have judged her right away. She has barely eaten, and she wouldn't leave her room for much of anything until I finally convinced her I'd come and talk to you."
"What are you suggesting?" Sonic demanded.
"I want to take Tails to the island to be with her. I think she deserves it after the way we treated her," Knux explained.
Hope rose in my chest. Sonic stood there for a few minutes, silent. Then he sighed. "Fine. But they stay up there until Sally reaches her decision. I'll tell her that Tails is up there with you."
I opened the door and in a flurry of motion and hugged Sonic and then Knuckles. I began to rise in the air, but Sonic pulled me back down.
"Hold on little buddy," he said. "You look like you were thrown into one of Buttnik's garbage pits. You are cleaning yourself off before you go anywhere."
"Awwwwwww, but Sonic," I pretended to whine and grinned for the first time in a week. "Thanks, man." He shook his head and pointed in the direction of the pond.
"Somehow I would think that a walking garbage dump would be a MAJOR turn-off," Knuckles said with a chuckle.
I went to the pond and jumped in headfirst. I swam around for a minute, getting used to the water. Then I cleaned and scrubbed myself. When I was done I climbed out and shook myself off. I shook the water from my feet as I walked back to my hut to get my shoes. Knuckles was already in the air, waiting for me. I twirled my two tails and rose into the air. Then I turned and waved at Sonic and we flew towards the Floating Island.
* * *
I paced back and forth impatiently. ::Where were they?:: I thought in frustration. Knuckles had been gone for what felt like hours.
I watched the horizon, even though I knew it would be a bit longer for him to show up, especially if Knuckles had to negotiate anything with Sally.
My pacing became more frantic. ::What if they don't come back?:: I thought fearfully. ::What if Tails is killed?:: I stopped pacing for a moment and watched the horizon again.
Two shapes flew towards the island. I squinted my eyes, and then nearly jumped up and down with joy. Tails shouted and waved wildly at me as he flew towards the island. Knuckles shook his head as they drew closer.
I jumped into the air and twirled my tails around. I flew to Tails and grabbed his hand and Knuckles and pulled them both to the island so fast that they had barely any time to comprehend what was going on.
When we had all landed safely on the island, Tails and Knuckles looked at me strangely.
"What?" I said, confused. "What's wrong?"
"Haley, do you know what you just did?" inquired Tails thoughtfully.
"Ummmmm... No, not really. Do you want to enlighten me?"
They looked at each other and shrugged. "Haley, you move as fast as Sonic," explained Tails.
"I do?" I said in amazement and they both nodded. I ran my fingers through the fur on my head. I shook my head and laughed.
"What?" said Tails. "What's so funny?"
I shrugged. "Whatever Robotnik has turned me into, he seems to have done it well."
"Explain," said Knuckles. "I'm not quite sure what you're getting at."
"Well, first he altered my DNA, but kept it so that instead of making me entirely male, it remained female. That much I think was an accident. Somehow I don't honestly believe he cared whether or not I remained female," I explained.
"But what about Sonic's speed or my flight?" asked Tails.
"I think he somehow made it so that I could acquire both talents and put them together in perfect harmony," I replied. "He has to have some scientist working for him somewhere because it is simply not possible for his fat head to know this.
"My minor telepathic abilities could have something to do with my human DNA for all I know. That part I'm not so sure on, mainly because I'm not quite sure how anyone can pull something like that off intentionally.
"I think that Robotnik needs me, mainly because that if he can duplicate more like me, then he can create an army more effective than his robots," I said gravely.
They were both silent for a moment. "You've had a lot of time to think about this, haven't you?" asked Tails softly.
"Yes I have. I've been thinking it ever since I became like this," I replied. "And I think that he or someone else knows exactly where I am."
"Why is that?" inquired Knuckles.
"Because I felt their presence on the island. My minor telepathy has grown considerably," I replied.
* * *
"This fox-hog is intelligent," said the cloaked figure in front of the screen, watching the threesome's discussion.
"Yes. She will be very useful to us," replied another figure, but this one was not cloaked.
"We must help her stop Robotnik," piped up another voice, younger than the other two.
The cloaked one shook her head. "No. That she must do herself. We will approach her when the time is right."
"The fox-hog is almost ready," said the second one. "We cannot wait much longer, Queen Aria."
"You will wait, Tobias," replied Aria, who lowered the hood of her cloak to fix the two with a piercing stare. "She is not ready yet!"
"Yes, your Highness," Tobias and the younger girl mumbled.
"You are dismissed," Aria said and turned back to the screen.
* * *
Haley and I flew through the air above the many trees while Knuckles and his associates combed the island for intruders. We had been given specific orders as to where we were to stay and so on. But, needless to say, we were together again and delightfully happy.
We sat on a branch in one of the tallest trees. I slipped my arm around her shoulders and she leaned her head on my arm.
"Why should I return to Earth?" she said softly, more to herself than to me. "This place will be wonderful after Robotnik is gone."
"Yes it will," I breathed and she looked into my eyes. I put my hand to the side of her face and stroked the fur on her cheek gently.
"I can't imagine living my life without you Tails," she whispered, leaning in close. "It would be so empty without you beside me."
"You can't leave," I said softly and grinned. "And if that means I have to chain you to a tree to make you stay, then I will."
She smiled, and gently pressed her mouth to mine. When we broke apart, she looked straight into my eyes and said, "I love you."
My heart fluttered. That was the first time either one of us had uttered those words aloud, let alone to each other.
I pulled her into my arms and held her there for a while. We sat that way for a little while, then I whispered in her ear, "I love you too, Haley."
We broke apart and were silent for a few short moments. Then we started in on talking about her family and her life on Earth.
"My dad once took us all hiking, just when my youngest sister was two. We were on a trail, looking for a waterfall. When we got there, it was so beautiful. The water was so clean and lovely," she said and laughed. "They would have loved it here."
"They would have loved Knothole," I said. "Robotnik has destroyed a good portion of Mobius. The parts he's destroyed are not good places to be."
"If we could've gotten rid of all of the people on Earth like that ass, then Earth sure would be just as beautiful as this little part of this planet," she explained. "In my time, the ozone layer is being destroyed by pollutants that people burn in the air."
"You mean, many people go with this? They would just destroy their planet without a second thought?" I said, taken aback.
"Yes, and there are far to many of those kinds of people. But, some of my people are kind-hearted, too. There are those that fight the losing battle to protect the environment." She sighed. "There are too few of those kinds of people."
I looked out at the horizon. As the sun began to set, I noticed three objects flying towards the island, fast approaching. I squinted my eyes. I couldn't tell what they were, but I got a bad feeling about them.
"Haley, get down!" I yelled, and I jumped off the branch and to the ground.
* * *
Tails twirled his tails around and gently landed. He looked up and saw me still sitting there on the branch.
"C'mon Haley! Let's go!" he called anxiously as I watched the figures approach.
"Wait a minute," I replied in frustration, focusing my mind and then casting my telepathic range at a wider distance. I couldn't keep it up for long, but I got a brief glimpse into the minds of the ones fast approaching us.
"Tails, it's Robotnik and Snively!" I called down as I jumped from the branch. "I couldn't get the identity of the other one, but this doesn't look good."
He grabbed my hand. "What should we do?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. If worse comes to worse for me, just get out. I can't keep running from him forever."
He stared at me. "What are you saying?"
I sighed. "I'm saying that if I get captured, don't come after me."