* * *
"Queen Aria, she's going to die!" I said angrily. "What are you waiting for that you would leave her there to be tortured?"
"Zoë, you are overstepping your boundaries! I know what I am doing!" she replied.
"But she's going to die if you don't stop the evil one!" I yelled. "What are you waiting for that you would risk her death?"
"Zoë, have faith in my mother! If we don't stick together, we can't get through this mission," said Prince Tobias softly, putting a hand on my shoulder.
I rubbed my temples and sighed. "I'm sorry Your Highness. I just can't help worrying about the young foxhog."
"There's really no need," she laughed. "Despite my orders, the Freedom Fighters are planning a rescue mission as we speak."
"Did you really expect them not to?" I smiled.
"Of course not!"
I shook my head. "With her Highness's permission I shall retire to my quarters."
She nodded. "Tobias, escort Zoë to her quarters." Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw her wink, but I wasn't sure.
"Well, c'mon then," I said and walked out the door.
"Why are you so worried about the foxhog?" the prince asked.
"I don't know. Maybe it's just instinct, but I fear she is in more danger than the Queen sees."
We walked the rest of the way in silence. We stopped in front of my door and I pressed the button.
"Would you like to come in?" I asked, indicating the open door.
"Ladies first," he said.
I walked in and he followed me. When the door closed he put his hand on my shoulder and turned me to face him.
I looked up into his gold eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Looking at you," he whispered, and ran his fingers through the hair on the back of my head. "You're beautiful, Zoë."
I shook my head and leaned against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat as he breathed. He tilted my chin up with his hand and he stroked the fur on my cheek.
"Why are you doing this?" I said softly.
"I don't know," he admitted and leaned close, his lips only a moment away from touching mine. "I've just been waiting for so long to hold you..."
"Shhh," I whispered and held a finger to his lips. He closed the distance between us and pressed his mouth to mine. After a few minutes he pulled away gently and he held me close. We stood that way for a long time.
After a few long moments, I pulled away from his arms and sat down in a chair. He kneeled in front of me and I looked up into his eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked quietly. "Is it me?"
I shook my head. "It's not you Tobias. I just... I've never been very good at relationships. And you're the prince... I just don't know if I'm ready."
He nodded and brought a hand to my face, cupping his hand around my ear. "It's okay, Zoë," he said with a reassuring smile and I nodded.
I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him closer. I planted a fierce kiss on his lips, and when I pulled away I was almost breathless.
"PRINCE TOBIAS TO THE BRIDGE!" yelled a voice over the intercom on the ship.
He looked sheepish and stood up. He smoothed the golden fur around his eyes and reached a hand to help me out of the chair.
"Until next time," he smiled, kissed my cheek, and left.
I went to my bed and curled into a ball under the warm covers. I was happy and content for a little while. Eventually I dozed off and my dreams were wonderful.
* * *
"I don't need to be spoon-fed, damn it!" I yelled at Sir York and struggled in my shackles again, even though I knew I wouldn't get loose.
"You know, if these were different circumstances I'd tell you to watch your mouth my dear," he replied. "You know, before I left you'd cringe every time someone swore in front of you."
I laughed dryly. "Sir York, that was before. If you haven't noticed, I'm a little different from when you knew me last."
He shrugged. "I think I like the new you better," he laughed. "And since I can't release you, I have to spoon feed you."
I groaned. "At least loosen me a bit so I can feed myself. I've got nowhere to run."
He loosened the knots on my arms a bit and I moved them, regaining some of the feeling. He handed me a plate of food that looked like wilted vegetables and something else that was indescribable. I crinkled my nose and shoved it in as fast as I could so I didn't have to taste it.
Sir York laughed as I grabbed the glass of water from his hand and spit the disgusting flavor onto the floor. I leaned over and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
"Where did you get that shit?" I demanded, still disgusted.
"Apparently he doesn't think you deserve the good food," he smirked.
Suddenly explosions could be heard all around us. Snively ran in and looked at Sir York with fear.
"Dr. Robotnik has ordered her to be taken to the roboticizer," he said, his voice trembling a little. "The Freedom Fighters have arrived."
"But what about the new device?" I demanded. "Too good to show them yet, huh Needlenose?"
"Shut up you!" he said, and pulled out his laser. "Sir York, unstrap her, let's go."
Sir York undid the restraints and grabbed me roughly by the hand and yanked me along. Snively turned and walked with his back facing us. As soon as he relaxed, Sir York pulled out his gun and hit Snively square over the head with it, knocking him out.
"This has gone far enough," he said, picking up the prone body and placing it inside an open door, then closed and locked it. "Haley, we need to get you out of here now."
"What about you?" I said quietly.
"Don't worry about me," he replied.
"I think you have PLENTY to worry about Sir York," said Robotnik's booming voice, and we were surrounded from both ends by SWATbots.
"'Bot FSR023, bring me the foxhog and Sir York," he ordered. "If they resist, stun them, but don't kill them. Also, wake Snively up and take him to the MediBots to see if he has any damage and if not send him back here."
"Affirmative."
We were pushed and shoved along the hallway, but we didn't resist the SWATbots. We both knew we were screwed at that point.
We were both shoved into a large room. It was the one where he had made me into this creature…
I shook it off and regained my composure. I held my head high when Robotnik stormed over to me and Sir York.
"I knew I couldn't trust you," he hissed at him. "I knew you were too soft, and that you had something to do with her."
"Back off him Robotnik," I said. "You don't want him."
He turned to me. "Ah yes, you. My creation," he said, pacing around me in a circle.
"What to do with you now? I just don't know. Now that they are coming for you, we're going to have to come up with something creative aren't we?"
"You really need a life," I snapped bitterly.
He snapped his fingers. "I know!" he exclaimed and drew back his metal fist and punched me square in the gut.
I doubled over and he swung at me again, this time connecting with my back, causing me to fall forward on the floor. I landed on my face and my nose began to bleed. Then he kicked me hard in the ribs and I felt for sure that he cracked at least two.
"NOOOOOOOOO! YOU FAT BASTARD!" I heard Sir York yell and out of the corner of my eye I saw him leap for Robotnik, but was grabbed and held back by the SWATbots. Meanwhile, Buttnik picked me up and threw me against a wall. I hit and cried out. Then he rubbed his hands together and sighed contentedly.
"That was more enjoyable than beating the shit out of Snively," he said and laughed as he picked me up again. He dragged me to the roboticizer and threw me in and shut the door.
I slumped against the wall, desperately trying to keep the blackness that was crowding into my vision from taking complete control. I got up and leaned against the wall.
"I'm not done with you yet, Robuttnik," I said, and spat some blood from my mouth.
"You will be, don't worry," he replied.
An explosion rocked the room, causing the door to fly open. Sonic, Sally, and Tails all ran into the room, closely followed by Bunnie and Knuckles and a few others.
"HALEY!" Tails yelled and ran towards the roboticizer. "What has he done to you?"
"Beat the shit out of me, that's what," I replied dryly. "Just get me the hell out of here."
He clapped his hands together and released a booming laugh, echoing above all the noise and shutting everyone up.
"Welcome to my party, rodents!" he laughed. "Today you will witness the sheer force of my power!"
Sonic barely stifled a laugh as Robotnik kept going on and on with his little speech.
"And now you will see the power of Dr. Ivo Robotnik!" he yelled and pushed a button on the side of the roboticizer.
The chamber started filling with smoke and I screamed.
* * *
"NO!" I yelled and flew at Robotnik, but two SWATbots grabbed me and pulled me down. Sally Sonic, and everyone began to fight with the 'bots while I struggled to get to the roboticizer.
I could hear her screams as she was being roboticized. Then something strange happened: A bright glow began to show through the smoke in the tube, and Haley's screams had stopped. I saw her hands push up against the glass, though I couldn't see the rest of her because of the smoke.
Suddenly the chamber exploded, showering everyone with glass and metal. Haley stepped out, and she was glowing as though someone had lit a flame inside her. I looked at her eyes and instantly felt afraid; they were all white and they too were glowing.
::Robotnik!:: she yelled, not out-loud but through telepathy so that all heard her. She hadn't even opened her mouth.
I watched his jaw drop and fear enter his eyes. She threw her hand out and blasted him with an energy ball. He flew back against the wall and slid to the floor. The SWATbots began to attack her and as they drew closer, energy beams blasted them apart until all were destroyed.
Needlenose had been watching from a corner in the room and yelped as she picked him up and placed him next to Robotnik.
::You both are henceforth to be exiled from Mobius forever, by decree of the House of Acorn and myself,:: she said, her voice echoing in our minds. ::And shall serve your sentence in exile, off the planet's surface.::
"You can't make up go up there!" roared Robotnik, and he got up and lunged towards Haley, only to be blasted again into the wall.
::I can and I will Robotnik,:: she replied. ::You both have five minutes to get on a ship and be off this planet or I will kill you both for all the pain and suffering you have caused these people.::
He got up, pulling Snively with him. When he was in the door, he turned. "You haven't heard the last of Dr. Ivo Robotnik! I shall return!"
As soon as the ship ascended into the skies, a rumbling in the ground began and grew stonger.
"RUN!" I yelled and everyone ran for the exit.
We made it to the top of the hill overlooking Robotropolis. A glowing ball of light was floating above the city as it broke apart. There were explosions as factories collapsed and huge spurts of flame as gas lines were broken.
In only a few short minutes, everything that we had been fighting to do for years had been done in almost no time at all. We watched as the ball of light floated towards a patch of unaffected ground. I jumped into the air, but Sonic grabbed my foot, stopping my ascent.
"No Tails!" he said. "She may kill you!"
"No, she won't!" I cried and yanked my foot from his grasp and continued towards the ball of light.
As soon as it touched the ground it went out and Haley fell to the ground, breathing heavily. I landed next to her and picked her up gently. Then I flew back to the hill and placed her gently on the ground.
"I told you she was the one," Queen Aria's voice said, and she appeared in front of us.
"I'm sorry for doubting you, your Majesty," Knuckles whispered.
"But she must return home soon," said Zoë, appearing next to the Queen. "She has rid Mobius of the evil that had befallen it."
"No, she can't leave!" I cried angrily. "Why does she have to go?"
"Because there are things in the past that need to be resolved before she can come back," replied Tobias, walking up from behind us.
Haley stirred and opened her eyes. Suddenly there was a cheer from all around and she stood up. She looked confused.
"What's going on?" she asked. "What happened?"
"Ya freed Mobius!" yelled Bunnie, enveloping her in a huge bear hug. "Ya got rid of Buttnik and saved us!"
"All hail zee foxhog!" yelled Antoine.
Everyone cheered and yelled. She walked to the hill and watched as Robotropolis burned.
Suddenly she leapt off and flew towards the city. "Sir York!" she yelled. "Where are you?"
* * *
I flew across the city, dodging the occasional spurt of flame. I couldn't detect him through telepathy and I was scared. The smoke stung my eyes as I searched pile after pile.
In one of the piles I saw movement and I flew towards it. He lay, pinned underneath two large chunks of debris. His head had a bloody gash on it and he was breathing in short gasps.
"Sir York!" I whispered, landing next to him. He took my hand and coughed.
"I love you Haley," he said quietly. "You were like the daughter I'll never have."
I shook my head, the tears springing to my eyes. "Don't talk like that. I'll get you out of here and you'll be just fine."
He laughed dryly and began coughing, blood coming up with each cough. "Tell your mother that I'll miss her and I will see you all again someday."
The tears flew freely down my face. I felt Tails land next to me and look at Sir York.
"Take good care of her, you hear?" he said and coughed. "Better than I did. Promise me!"
Tails nodded. "I promise," he said softly.
"I'm going now," he whispered. "I love you Haley."
"And I love you, Sir York," I replied.
He stopped breathing and his hand fell out of mine. I could almost see his soul leave for the heavens.
Tails pulled me into his arms and I stood there until the other Freedom Fighters arrived. They removed the rubble and took his body away.
* * *
I made sure that Sir York had a proper burial. The felines had given me a few days to stay with Tails before I had to go. I wished we'd had longer to be together, and we spent a lot of it recounting our tale for the records. Princess Sally's new mission was to rescue her father from the Void, and I knew she would spend most of her time doing it.
The day I had to leave, we were in his hut, and he was held my hand.
"Haley, I want to give you something that will make sure that you'll never forget us here," he said, and gave me a little box.
I opened it. Inside was a necklace with a gorgeous stone pendant. I touched it and it glowed with a little yellow light. It hung on a delicate-looking silver chain.
"This way you'll always remember me," he said. "And remember what you did for Mobius."
"Tails, I would never forget you," I said softly and slipped the necklace over my head. I took hold of both of his hands and pulled him to me. We shared one last kiss before we heard the fateful knock on the door.
"Time to go Haley," said Princess Sally gravely.
Tails and I walked out, hand-in-hand, to an open meadow. The felines stood on one side while the Freedom Fighters stood on the other. There was a gravestone a little ways away and I walked to it and kneeled.
"Sir York, I will come back, I promise you," I whispered. I placed a small stone that I had found that day, and I'd had Rotor carve the likeness of the man into. I got up and walked to the circle that was in the middle.
I looked around at all the familiar faces: Sonic, solemn and serious; Sally, struggling to hold back tears; Bunnie, face struggling to keep emotions hidden; Rotor, staring at his feet; Dulcy the dragon, tears streaming down her big face; Antoine, giving me a salute; and finally my Tails, head held high, swelling with the pride that he felt for me.
I nodded at the felines, and Queen Aria punched a code into a computer she held. My bones began to shift and change, and I was lifted off the ground and flew through a portal. For much of the ride I was in pain as I changed back into a human, the form I had long forgotten. Before I knew it, I was in my bed at home, my parents talking in the next room.
"We might as well not give up hope, sweetheart," I heard my mom say. "She's been gone for two days and the police haven't combed everywhere."
I walked out quietly. "Mom?"
Both snapped their heads up and my mom leaped up from her chair. "Haley! Oh my God!" she cried out and hugged me as though I was going to just disappear again.
"It's okay Mom," I said. "I'm okay." My dad came up and we held each other for a long time.
"Queen Aria, she's going to die!" I said angrily. "What are you waiting for that you would leave her there to be tortured?"
"Zoë, you are overstepping your boundaries! I know what I am doing!" she replied.
"But she's going to die if you don't stop the evil one!" I yelled. "What are you waiting for that you would risk her death?"
"Zoë, have faith in my mother! If we don't stick together, we can't get through this mission," said Prince Tobias softly, putting a hand on my shoulder.
I rubbed my temples and sighed. "I'm sorry Your Highness. I just can't help worrying about the young foxhog."
"There's really no need," she laughed. "Despite my orders, the Freedom Fighters are planning a rescue mission as we speak."
"Did you really expect them not to?" I smiled.
"Of course not!"
I shook my head. "With her Highness's permission I shall retire to my quarters."
She nodded. "Tobias, escort Zoë to her quarters." Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw her wink, but I wasn't sure.
"Well, c'mon then," I said and walked out the door.
"Why are you so worried about the foxhog?" the prince asked.
"I don't know. Maybe it's just instinct, but I fear she is in more danger than the Queen sees."
We walked the rest of the way in silence. We stopped in front of my door and I pressed the button.
"Would you like to come in?" I asked, indicating the open door.
"Ladies first," he said.
I walked in and he followed me. When the door closed he put his hand on my shoulder and turned me to face him.
I looked up into his gold eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Looking at you," he whispered, and ran his fingers through the hair on the back of my head. "You're beautiful, Zoë."
I shook my head and leaned against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat as he breathed. He tilted my chin up with his hand and he stroked the fur on my cheek.
"Why are you doing this?" I said softly.
"I don't know," he admitted and leaned close, his lips only a moment away from touching mine. "I've just been waiting for so long to hold you..."
"Shhh," I whispered and held a finger to his lips. He closed the distance between us and pressed his mouth to mine. After a few minutes he pulled away gently and he held me close. We stood that way for a long time.
After a few long moments, I pulled away from his arms and sat down in a chair. He kneeled in front of me and I looked up into his eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked quietly. "Is it me?"
I shook my head. "It's not you Tobias. I just... I've never been very good at relationships. And you're the prince... I just don't know if I'm ready."
He nodded and brought a hand to my face, cupping his hand around my ear. "It's okay, Zoë," he said with a reassuring smile and I nodded.
I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him closer. I planted a fierce kiss on his lips, and when I pulled away I was almost breathless.
"PRINCE TOBIAS TO THE BRIDGE!" yelled a voice over the intercom on the ship.
He looked sheepish and stood up. He smoothed the golden fur around his eyes and reached a hand to help me out of the chair.
"Until next time," he smiled, kissed my cheek, and left.
I went to my bed and curled into a ball under the warm covers. I was happy and content for a little while. Eventually I dozed off and my dreams were wonderful.
* * *
"I don't need to be spoon-fed, damn it!" I yelled at Sir York and struggled in my shackles again, even though I knew I wouldn't get loose.
"You know, if these were different circumstances I'd tell you to watch your mouth my dear," he replied. "You know, before I left you'd cringe every time someone swore in front of you."
I laughed dryly. "Sir York, that was before. If you haven't noticed, I'm a little different from when you knew me last."
He shrugged. "I think I like the new you better," he laughed. "And since I can't release you, I have to spoon feed you."
I groaned. "At least loosen me a bit so I can feed myself. I've got nowhere to run."
He loosened the knots on my arms a bit and I moved them, regaining some of the feeling. He handed me a plate of food that looked like wilted vegetables and something else that was indescribable. I crinkled my nose and shoved it in as fast as I could so I didn't have to taste it.
Sir York laughed as I grabbed the glass of water from his hand and spit the disgusting flavor onto the floor. I leaned over and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
"Where did you get that shit?" I demanded, still disgusted.
"Apparently he doesn't think you deserve the good food," he smirked.
Suddenly explosions could be heard all around us. Snively ran in and looked at Sir York with fear.
"Dr. Robotnik has ordered her to be taken to the roboticizer," he said, his voice trembling a little. "The Freedom Fighters have arrived."
"But what about the new device?" I demanded. "Too good to show them yet, huh Needlenose?"
"Shut up you!" he said, and pulled out his laser. "Sir York, unstrap her, let's go."
Sir York undid the restraints and grabbed me roughly by the hand and yanked me along. Snively turned and walked with his back facing us. As soon as he relaxed, Sir York pulled out his gun and hit Snively square over the head with it, knocking him out.
"This has gone far enough," he said, picking up the prone body and placing it inside an open door, then closed and locked it. "Haley, we need to get you out of here now."
"What about you?" I said quietly.
"Don't worry about me," he replied.
"I think you have PLENTY to worry about Sir York," said Robotnik's booming voice, and we were surrounded from both ends by SWATbots.
"'Bot FSR023, bring me the foxhog and Sir York," he ordered. "If they resist, stun them, but don't kill them. Also, wake Snively up and take him to the MediBots to see if he has any damage and if not send him back here."
"Affirmative."
We were pushed and shoved along the hallway, but we didn't resist the SWATbots. We both knew we were screwed at that point.
We were both shoved into a large room. It was the one where he had made me into this creature…
I shook it off and regained my composure. I held my head high when Robotnik stormed over to me and Sir York.
"I knew I couldn't trust you," he hissed at him. "I knew you were too soft, and that you had something to do with her."
"Back off him Robotnik," I said. "You don't want him."
He turned to me. "Ah yes, you. My creation," he said, pacing around me in a circle.
"What to do with you now? I just don't know. Now that they are coming for you, we're going to have to come up with something creative aren't we?"
"You really need a life," I snapped bitterly.
He snapped his fingers. "I know!" he exclaimed and drew back his metal fist and punched me square in the gut.
I doubled over and he swung at me again, this time connecting with my back, causing me to fall forward on the floor. I landed on my face and my nose began to bleed. Then he kicked me hard in the ribs and I felt for sure that he cracked at least two.
"NOOOOOOOOO! YOU FAT BASTARD!" I heard Sir York yell and out of the corner of my eye I saw him leap for Robotnik, but was grabbed and held back by the SWATbots. Meanwhile, Buttnik picked me up and threw me against a wall. I hit and cried out. Then he rubbed his hands together and sighed contentedly.
"That was more enjoyable than beating the shit out of Snively," he said and laughed as he picked me up again. He dragged me to the roboticizer and threw me in and shut the door.
I slumped against the wall, desperately trying to keep the blackness that was crowding into my vision from taking complete control. I got up and leaned against the wall.
"I'm not done with you yet, Robuttnik," I said, and spat some blood from my mouth.
"You will be, don't worry," he replied.
An explosion rocked the room, causing the door to fly open. Sonic, Sally, and Tails all ran into the room, closely followed by Bunnie and Knuckles and a few others.
"HALEY!" Tails yelled and ran towards the roboticizer. "What has he done to you?"
"Beat the shit out of me, that's what," I replied dryly. "Just get me the hell out of here."
He clapped his hands together and released a booming laugh, echoing above all the noise and shutting everyone up.
"Welcome to my party, rodents!" he laughed. "Today you will witness the sheer force of my power!"
Sonic barely stifled a laugh as Robotnik kept going on and on with his little speech.
"And now you will see the power of Dr. Ivo Robotnik!" he yelled and pushed a button on the side of the roboticizer.
The chamber started filling with smoke and I screamed.
* * *
"NO!" I yelled and flew at Robotnik, but two SWATbots grabbed me and pulled me down. Sally Sonic, and everyone began to fight with the 'bots while I struggled to get to the roboticizer.
I could hear her screams as she was being roboticized. Then something strange happened: A bright glow began to show through the smoke in the tube, and Haley's screams had stopped. I saw her hands push up against the glass, though I couldn't see the rest of her because of the smoke.
Suddenly the chamber exploded, showering everyone with glass and metal. Haley stepped out, and she was glowing as though someone had lit a flame inside her. I looked at her eyes and instantly felt afraid; they were all white and they too were glowing.
::Robotnik!:: she yelled, not out-loud but through telepathy so that all heard her. She hadn't even opened her mouth.
I watched his jaw drop and fear enter his eyes. She threw her hand out and blasted him with an energy ball. He flew back against the wall and slid to the floor. The SWATbots began to attack her and as they drew closer, energy beams blasted them apart until all were destroyed.
Needlenose had been watching from a corner in the room and yelped as she picked him up and placed him next to Robotnik.
::You both are henceforth to be exiled from Mobius forever, by decree of the House of Acorn and myself,:: she said, her voice echoing in our minds. ::And shall serve your sentence in exile, off the planet's surface.::
"You can't make up go up there!" roared Robotnik, and he got up and lunged towards Haley, only to be blasted again into the wall.
::I can and I will Robotnik,:: she replied. ::You both have five minutes to get on a ship and be off this planet or I will kill you both for all the pain and suffering you have caused these people.::
He got up, pulling Snively with him. When he was in the door, he turned. "You haven't heard the last of Dr. Ivo Robotnik! I shall return!"
As soon as the ship ascended into the skies, a rumbling in the ground began and grew stonger.
"RUN!" I yelled and everyone ran for the exit.
We made it to the top of the hill overlooking Robotropolis. A glowing ball of light was floating above the city as it broke apart. There were explosions as factories collapsed and huge spurts of flame as gas lines were broken.
In only a few short minutes, everything that we had been fighting to do for years had been done in almost no time at all. We watched as the ball of light floated towards a patch of unaffected ground. I jumped into the air, but Sonic grabbed my foot, stopping my ascent.
"No Tails!" he said. "She may kill you!"
"No, she won't!" I cried and yanked my foot from his grasp and continued towards the ball of light.
As soon as it touched the ground it went out and Haley fell to the ground, breathing heavily. I landed next to her and picked her up gently. Then I flew back to the hill and placed her gently on the ground.
"I told you she was the one," Queen Aria's voice said, and she appeared in front of us.
"I'm sorry for doubting you, your Majesty," Knuckles whispered.
"But she must return home soon," said Zoë, appearing next to the Queen. "She has rid Mobius of the evil that had befallen it."
"No, she can't leave!" I cried angrily. "Why does she have to go?"
"Because there are things in the past that need to be resolved before she can come back," replied Tobias, walking up from behind us.
Haley stirred and opened her eyes. Suddenly there was a cheer from all around and she stood up. She looked confused.
"What's going on?" she asked. "What happened?"
"Ya freed Mobius!" yelled Bunnie, enveloping her in a huge bear hug. "Ya got rid of Buttnik and saved us!"
"All hail zee foxhog!" yelled Antoine.
Everyone cheered and yelled. She walked to the hill and watched as Robotropolis burned.
Suddenly she leapt off and flew towards the city. "Sir York!" she yelled. "Where are you?"
* * *
I flew across the city, dodging the occasional spurt of flame. I couldn't detect him through telepathy and I was scared. The smoke stung my eyes as I searched pile after pile.
In one of the piles I saw movement and I flew towards it. He lay, pinned underneath two large chunks of debris. His head had a bloody gash on it and he was breathing in short gasps.
"Sir York!" I whispered, landing next to him. He took my hand and coughed.
"I love you Haley," he said quietly. "You were like the daughter I'll never have."
I shook my head, the tears springing to my eyes. "Don't talk like that. I'll get you out of here and you'll be just fine."
He laughed dryly and began coughing, blood coming up with each cough. "Tell your mother that I'll miss her and I will see you all again someday."
The tears flew freely down my face. I felt Tails land next to me and look at Sir York.
"Take good care of her, you hear?" he said and coughed. "Better than I did. Promise me!"
Tails nodded. "I promise," he said softly.
"I'm going now," he whispered. "I love you Haley."
"And I love you, Sir York," I replied.
He stopped breathing and his hand fell out of mine. I could almost see his soul leave for the heavens.
Tails pulled me into his arms and I stood there until the other Freedom Fighters arrived. They removed the rubble and took his body away.
* * *
I made sure that Sir York had a proper burial. The felines had given me a few days to stay with Tails before I had to go. I wished we'd had longer to be together, and we spent a lot of it recounting our tale for the records. Princess Sally's new mission was to rescue her father from the Void, and I knew she would spend most of her time doing it.
The day I had to leave, we were in his hut, and he was held my hand.
"Haley, I want to give you something that will make sure that you'll never forget us here," he said, and gave me a little box.
I opened it. Inside was a necklace with a gorgeous stone pendant. I touched it and it glowed with a little yellow light. It hung on a delicate-looking silver chain.
"This way you'll always remember me," he said. "And remember what you did for Mobius."
"Tails, I would never forget you," I said softly and slipped the necklace over my head. I took hold of both of his hands and pulled him to me. We shared one last kiss before we heard the fateful knock on the door.
"Time to go Haley," said Princess Sally gravely.
Tails and I walked out, hand-in-hand, to an open meadow. The felines stood on one side while the Freedom Fighters stood on the other. There was a gravestone a little ways away and I walked to it and kneeled.
"Sir York, I will come back, I promise you," I whispered. I placed a small stone that I had found that day, and I'd had Rotor carve the likeness of the man into. I got up and walked to the circle that was in the middle.
I looked around at all the familiar faces: Sonic, solemn and serious; Sally, struggling to hold back tears; Bunnie, face struggling to keep emotions hidden; Rotor, staring at his feet; Dulcy the dragon, tears streaming down her big face; Antoine, giving me a salute; and finally my Tails, head held high, swelling with the pride that he felt for me.
I nodded at the felines, and Queen Aria punched a code into a computer she held. My bones began to shift and change, and I was lifted off the ground and flew through a portal. For much of the ride I was in pain as I changed back into a human, the form I had long forgotten. Before I knew it, I was in my bed at home, my parents talking in the next room.
"We might as well not give up hope, sweetheart," I heard my mom say. "She's been gone for two days and the police haven't combed everywhere."
I walked out quietly. "Mom?"
Both snapped their heads up and my mom leaped up from her chair. "Haley! Oh my God!" she cried out and hugged me as though I was going to just disappear again.
"It's okay Mom," I said. "I'm okay." My dad came up and we held each other for a long time.