Chapter 3 - Sealed Spirits
Sally slowly slumped into an armchair with a groan. Sinking into the cushions she also sunk into thoughts. Why had she acted like that earlier? Too many interrupted nights? No that wasn't it. Her dreams? Maybe.
"Dammit!" she swore to herself.
"Something wrong dear?" asked a voice.
Sally looked round to see Marian standing in the doorway. Her expression dropped and she turned away. Marian crossed the room and sat down opposite her. For a while they both sat not moving or speaking, just watching each other.
"Don't you have thing to do?" asked Sally at length.
"Not really my queen." replied Marian.
Sally looked away slightly and sighed.
"Marian, you know anything about dreams?" she asked looking back.
"Well I've had my fair share in the past. Can't say I'm an expert though."
"Hmm…"
"Why'd you ask?"
Sally sighed.
"Well I've been having some recently. Odd dreams they are and they've been making me think."
"And act like earlier?"
"I dunno. I just…I just wish I knew what they meant."
"Unanswered question can make a person irritated. I've been threw it myself at times. Dreams are just your mind trying to work things out. Sometimes the images stick when we wake up and that can make us puzzle because we don't know what relevance it has."
"I guess so, but these do feel different. I've had vivid dreams before, I guess everyone has once in their lives, but these do feel different."
"How so?"
"They seem to make sense. They aren't like normal dreams."
Marian tilted her head slightly and put a hand out before shrugging once slowly.
"As I said Sally I can't really be of much help. If they really do mean something I guess you'll just have to wait to find out. In the meantime why not find something to do to take your mind off things." she said.
"I guess so." replied Sally.
Marian slowly rose to her feet and smiled.
"Well I have a few things to do that I just remembered. I'll talk to you again later."
"Ok then."
Marian gave a small bow and left the room leaving Sally alone again. She slipped back into her thoughts. What did her dreams mean? What was going on in New Washington? Answered seemed to be right there but she couldn't see them. She slowly closed her eyes and slumped back into her seat.
-----------------------------------------
Sally sat on a small grassy bank next to a stream. The crystal water played happily on the stony bottom and ran gurgling down the hill towards the Great River. In her hand Sally held a small coloured ball. She was tossing it up and down happily as she listened to the sounds of birds in the trees. Just then she stopped completely. This seemed too familiar, this had happened before! She looked around quickly expecting to see her father walking over the hill but he didn't. In his place stood a small brown coloured squirrel with a red jacket fastened round his shoulders, Talyn. Sally almost freaked, what was going on? Talyn seemed to notice this and started looking nervous.
"I…I'm sorry." he said.
"What do you want with me?" asked Sally taking a few steps back.
Talyn seemed to get even more nervous as Sally backed off. He waved his hands in front of himself quickly.
"Please! Don't go, I'm not going to hurt you." he blurted.
Sally stopped and looked at him. Talyn hadn't moved since Sally had first noticed him. She eyed him curiously before looking at herself. She was young, no more than a few years old at best. Now that she actually paid attention to it she found herself actually thinking like normal. She could think of anything from her entire life and it wasn't random or messed up in any way. What the hell kind of dream was this? Wait! How was she able to consciously tell it was a dream? Weren't you supposed to wake up when you realised that? It was then that she remembered the last dream she had had like this. Talyn had said….
"What did you mean last time?" she asked.
Talyn fidgeted for a moment and then looked away.
"I…I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry." he replied.
"No! What did you mean?"
"I shouldn't even be here yet, mother would never approve."
Sally was getting more confused by the second. What was he talking about? Just then another voice was heard. It came on the wind just like Talyn's voice had the first time. It was sweet and seemed to crisp the air as it passed through it.
"It's ok Talyn."
Sally slowly turned round to face the voice. A brown ground squirrel stood behind her. Her face and figure looked nearly the same as Sally's did but her style was different. Her crimson hair was pulled back and a small golden tiara was visible on her head. Her hair continued down her back to just below her waist and was held together by several golden ties. A blue sleeveless top was fastened around her with a similar gold tie and a long blue skirt made up the rest of her outfit. On her back were mounted a couple of brown coloured sheaths in which sat a pair of sai. Sally studied her face carefully. The two shades of brown were almost identical to her own and her eye make up reminded her of the kind Chalk used.
"It's ok Talyn." she repeated, "I expected you to do this. It's only natural."
"What do you mean?" asked Sally, "Do what? What's going on?"
The new arrival looked at Sally with a soft smiling expression.
"It's been too long Sally but then you probably won't even know who I am." she said.
"How do you know my name?" gasped Sally taking a step backwards.
"Because I gave it to you my dear." she replied, "My name is Trinity and…"
-----------------------------------------
Sally woke sharply and shook her head. Chalk stood over her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey Sally, you ok? You looked like you were having a bad dream." she said.
Sally took a moment to focus on reality and then replied.
"I…um….I dunno Chalk." she replied.
"Well whatever. Look Sally there's another meeting tonight. Sonic told me to find you and tell you."
"Oh…er…thanks Chalk. I'll be there."
"Hopefully not as moody as last time eh." said Chalk giving Sally a small playful nudge.
"Oh…yeah." blushed Sally, "I'll have to apologise for that I guess."
"Ah don't worry about it. We all have those moments. Well I'll see you this evening Sally. Right now I have to go and find Sonia. The little runt ran off with my makeup."
Chalk gave Sally a smile and quickly left on her errand leaving Sally alone. Sally had hardly heard anything Chalk had said, she was too busy focussing on her dream. That women's name had seemed familiar but from where? Sally slowly got up and paced the room for a short while before stopping suddenly. She grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair and fled the room at a sprint.
-----------------------------------------
The night was starting to close in on Little Planet as the group started to reassemble. Sonic stood leaning against a small wall tapping his foot slowly. So far everyone had arrived except Sally. He hoped she wouldn't be late again but really he had no choice but to start, everyone else was getting impatient. He stood up and whistled to get everyone's attention.
"Now then!" he started taking a few steps forwards, "If you'll let me get straight to business, has anyone come up with any ideas yet?"
The groups was silent for the most part with a few whispers going round.
"Come on people! This is critical!" he insisted.
"The problem Sonic is that we don't know anything." said Amy standing up, "We're just all baffled really. Plus I know some of us have been wondering where Links, Knuckles and Jet went."
A murmur ran through the group and several people nodded their heads in agreement. Sonic shrugged.
"All I know is they're not here. I don't have any other details. It was Sally that sent them off." he said.
"That's another point." said Chalk, "Where is that girl? She told me she'd be here."
"Maybe she's resting." suggested Manic.
Just then Lavender sprung to her feet. Her tails were twitching around behind her happily. She suddenly spun them quickly taking off.
"He's here! He's back!?" she cried.
"Who?" asked Alindel.
"Links!"
Lavender veered to the side to avoid blowing anyone over and took off towards the transporter. Miles and Alicia looked at each other and scrambled after her followed by Bunnie and Alindel. The rest of the group looked at each other and then followed. Sonic stood still for a moment before speaking to himself.
"Er…meeting adjourned." he said quickly before sprinting off after the others.
Lavender was making fast progress but even she couldn't reach the transporter. She watched as it gave a flash and then a tornado formed up next to the transporter. It shot towards her narrowly missing the flying kitsune and then abruptly stopped and exploded. Jet and Knuckles were thrown out of the tornado as Links appeared at its centre. Lavender quickly landed next to the trio.
"Hey watch it Links!" she cried.
"Sorry Lavender. I didn't see you." replied Links in a fluster.
The blue fox was now looking around frantically almost panicky. He saw Alindel running towards him and his look faded slightly as she reached him and threw her arm round his shoulder.
"Links! I'm so glad you're back dear." she said hugging him.
Links returned the gesture but soon slipped back into his panicked look. He pulled away and started looking round.
"Links what's wrong?" she asked.
"I need to speak to everyone, now!" he said quickly.
The rest of the group and Bunnie arrived a few seconds later and Bunnie and Knuckles exchanged a short greeting before looking back at Links. Jet didn't even have time for greetings, he had already made his way to Links side and was watching for the others. Sonic had caught the group a way back and was the next to greet Links.
"Hey glad you're back Links. Something up?" he asked.
"Up Sonic?" replied Links, "Not something, everything! We got big trouble."
"How so?"
"Get me a cold drink and I'll tell you."
Soon afterwards the group was back at the meeting area gathered around Links. Jet and Alindel sat on either side of him with Knuckles close by. The rest of the group was sat in front of him waiting. Links finished his drink and took a deep breath.
"As you know myself, Jet and Knuckles have been away. Sally sent us out on a small scout mission to a base near the Great Unknown. Well our small scout turned into something much bigger." he said.
"We busted in ok and neutralised the base like we had planned." continued Jet, "Most of the soldiers took off as soon as Links' first lightning bolt hit the fuel tanks. After that we had no problem getting in."
"I remained outside for the next part keeping watch just in case though." said Knuckles.
"Jet and myself went inside to see what we could find. Our little EA expert here soon broke the codes and he was into the computer system. What we found was not what we expected." continued Links.
"The usual stuff was all there, schedules, base operations, stuff like that but the computer also had a link up to the main EA database. Sally had told us to look out for anything to do with operation "Sunscorch"." said Jet.
"Sunscorch?" asked Alicia.
"Don't you remember?" asked Jet, "During our last raid when we captured those data files? Sunscorch was amongst them but there wasn't much info, mainly just the name. Sally didn't like it so she sent us off on another raid to try and find out more."
"And did you?" asked Sonic.
"We found more than we wanted." replied Knuckles, "Turns out Sunscorch is a massive new power generation device that doubles as a weapon."
"A weapon!" came a collective cry.
"I didn't have time to find the specifics on it but whatever it is its in orbit right now and they've already tested it." said Jet.
"On what?" asked Bunnie.
"The moon." replied Knuckles, "Didn't you notice that last night was supposed to be a full moon but wasn't?"
Everyone's faces were blank.
"I thought maybe it was too cloudy." said Miles.
Knuckles shook his head.
"Are you trying to tell us that they completely blew away an entire moon in ONE SHOT?!" cried Sonic.
Knuckles nodded again as Links continued.
"We think they may be planning to use it against us." he said.
"I doubt anything could get through Little Planets shielding." said Amy standing up, she looked determined and totally defiant, "They've tried to get in a few times and nothing has come of it. The time field around this place can't be breached."
"Who said they'd try here?" asked Jet.
"You mean they're going to hit something else?" asked T2 speaking for the first time.
"Who knows." said Jet, "This is just a guess we thought up on the way over. Anything odd happened around here while we've been away?"
Everyone suddenly looked at Sonic.
"New Washington." he said slowly.
"What?" asked Links.
"Myself, Miles, Chalk and Manic recently came back from New Washington. The place is deserted like they just pulled out." replied Sonic.
"That might be it." said Jet, "Lucky we arrived before anyone went there again."
"Yeah." said Sonic sitting down slowly.
The group remained silent for a moment thinking about the information they had all just got. Finally Links spoke.
"Sonic, do you know where Sally is? It was her that sent us off on this mission and she should know the end results."
"I…I dunno." replied Sonic looking up, "She should be here now."
"Yeah she said she'd be here." said Chalk.
"Where'd you see her last?" asked Links.
"Patrick and Marian's place." replied Chalk.
"I'll go look." said Links getting up.
Links left the group heading towards Amy's parent's house. He entered to find Patrick in the kitchen reading a book. He looked up as Links entered.
"Oh hey Links! Back from wherever you went I see." he said putting his book down.
"Yeah, you seen Sally?" asked Links.
"Sally? Well Marian said she was in the living room but that was much earlier today. Don't know if she's still there."
"I'll go check."
Links gave Patrick a small wave and left the room. He crossed the hall and entered the living room. As he did it was clear to see that Sally wasn't there. He sighed and was about to leave when he noticed a small bit of paper on a small table beside a chair. He walked over to it and picked it up. A note was hastily scribbled on it and signed at the bottom. Links' eyes widened as he read it before he fled the house at full tilt. As he left he almost ran straight into Sonic who had followed Links.
"Yo!" he cried as Links nearly collided with him, "Links, something wrong?"
"Read this!" said Links quickly handing him the note.
Sonic grabbed the note and started to read, his eyes widening as Links' had before.
Dear everyone. Sorry I wasn't at the meeting but I just thought of something. I have to go see the situation in New Washington for myself. Don't worry about me, if the place is as you said I won't have any trouble. I've taken Nicole just in case so I should be fine. Oh and if Amy doesn't mind I borrowed the spare car in her parents garage. See you all soon.
Sally
"Holy god!" said Sonic slowly, "Links quickly! Round up the others! They kinda split up after you left. I'll check left you take right."
"Got it Sonic." replied Links.
Moments later a blue blur and a large tornado were fleeing the scene in opposite directions.
-----------------------------------------
Sally was starting to feel sleepy as dawn slowly broke over the horizon. She had been travelling all night but was now very close to New Washington. You could see the tall towers of metal sticking up over the landscape around it now. Sally shuddered slightly. The place was exactly like Robotropolis even if it wasn't called that any more. The nightmares that happened there were still in her mind and she wished she could push them away and forget about them.
"Well at least the EA can't get their hands on a robotisizer." she said to herself.
Looking down she glanced over the hover cars controls. She was nearly out of fuel and was thinking she'd have to walk back. She didn't mind though and she might even find some transport in the city itself. Looking back at the city she began to notice just how quiet it was. No shuttles or fighters flew over the city, there was no movement on the city fringes and no sounds came from its centre. The city really did look dead. She rubbed her chin absently and continued on wondering what she'd find.
-----------------------------------------
"Station two to home base, we have a contact."
"Confirmed, stand by for fix."
-----------------------------------------
"Commander? Commander Jake sir."
Morgan rolled over and growled slightly. He fumbled for, and eventually found, the small comm panel beside his bed.
"Yes! What?" he said gruffly.
"Sorry to wake you sir but station two has reported a contact."
Morgan was out of bed and in his uniform before you could say "damn furries". He raced from his quarters onto the bridge, which wasn't that far. As he entered he was still doing his jacket buttons up and his face still looked like he was asleep.
"Report." he said finishing with his uniform.
Tanaka approached him and saluted.
"Seems your plan is working sir, we have a solid contact moving directly into the city."
"Only one?" asked Morgan.
"Yes but it's an important one."
"Who?"
"The queen sir."
Morgan stopped for a moment and a smile spread across his face. He stepped forwards further onto the bridge.
"Ok people, charge Sunscorch and prepare to fire." he ordered.
"Sir wouldn't it be more worthy to wait and see if any of her friends are following?" asked Tanaka.
"I don't care Tanaka. If they are they are, if not I won't allow this chance to slip by. I'll take the kills however they come."
"Yes sir."
-----------------------------------------
Sally walked down the streets of New Washington looking sharply from side to side. She had Nicole out in her hand on full scan mode, she wanted to know if anyone really was here. So far Nicole hadn't picked up any signs of anything. Presently she came out into an open area of the town. This place had once been the central plaza of Mobotropolis. Flowers, fountains and birds had once filled this area and Sally could remember sitting here for many a long hour in the past. She sighed and slowly sat down against the side of a building. Since the city was no longer churning out black smoke the thick cloud over the city had started to break down slightly. Odd rays of sun had started to crack through the cloud making a few areas shine brightly. Strangely one particular ray of light was shining down directly on what had once been the plaza fountain. Sally got up and walked over to it. The fountain was cracked and splintered and the water had long since drained away, the marble it was made of looked dull and lifeless like the rest of the city. Sally sat down again the fountains side feeling the sun's rays tickle her fur. It had been a long time this place had seen the sun, maybe it was a sign that things were turning right again?
-----------------------------------------
"Sir Sunscorch is in position." said Tanaka.
"Ah good. How long until we can fire?" asked Morgan.
"A few minutes sir. The sun is already visible so the charge should be quite potent."
"Excellent."
-----------------------------------------
"Power reading detected." informed Nicole.
Sally was snapped out of her thoughts and grabbed Nicole.
"Explain Nicole." she said, "Where? Is it near?"
"Negative Sally. Power reading coming from a planetary orbit position."
Sally looked directly upwards and remembered something from the past.
"Oh god! Not again!" she said remembering the events in Knotlake, "Nicole we have to get out of here. We have to…"
Just then Sally started to feel sleepy. Her eyes started to flutter and she slid off the fountain wall and onto the ground. She remained on her knees for a moment before she collapsed sideways still gripping Nicole. Nicole continued to bleep.
"Warning power levels increasing Sally."
Sally couldn't hear her though.
-----------------------------------------
Sally sat on a small grassy bank next to a stream. The crystal water played happily on the stony bottom and ran gurgling down the hill towards the Great River. In her hand Sally held a small coloured ball. She was tossing it up and down happily as she listened to the sounds of birds in the trees.
"Not again!" cried Sally jumping to her feet and dropping the ball.
She looked around sharply. Talyn and Trinity were standing just a few meters away smiling at her. Sally backed off and took up a defensive posture.
"Ok that's enough!" she cried, "What the hell do you want with me?"
Talyn and Trinity looked at each other for a moment and then looked back at Sally.
"There's nothing to fear Sally." said Trinity calmly.
"You invade my dream, you claim to be my brother and you say I have nothing to fear?! I never had a brother." cried Sally.
"No Sally, you were just too young to remember." replied Trinity.
"Don't you remember me?" asked Talyn, "I can remember playing with you when you were just a baby."
"Stop it!" cried Sally almost crying, "If you really are my brother why didn't father tell me about you?"
"He wanted to protect you from any grief." said Trinity, "After we disappeared it was all he could do."
"What do you mean?" asked Sally.
"Come with us and we'll show you." said Trinity holding out her hand.
"Please Sally." said Talyn slowly.
Sally dropped the defensive posture and slowly took a step forwards. She slowly reached out her hand but didn't touch Trinity's just yet. She looked up at Trinity with a hesitant look.
"Please." said Trinity slowly.
Sally looked back at her hand and finally placed hers in Trinity's. As she did she felt a surge of energy like never before, it was like she had just bee hooked up to a ten thousand volt battery. She stood up straight, her eyes going wide in surprise. Around her the landscape was fading to white but the figures of Trinity and Talyn remained firm. She suddenly found herself staring at Trinity's eyes and slowly she began to loose herself in them.
"Like mine, so much like…." she murmured before she slowly fell asleep.
-----------------------------------------
A twister violently exploded on a raised plateau to the side of New Washington. Links stood at the middle surrounded by Sonic, Miles, Bunnie and Jet. They looked at the city for a moment before Sonic spoke.
"Looks like we made it." he said.
"I hope so sugah." replied Bunnie, "Imagine Sally going off like that."
"Come on dad lets go!" cried Jet looking at Links.
Links was looking up with a defeated look on his face.
"Links?" asked Jet.
Everyone turned to look at Links who continued to look at the sky.
"We're too late." he said.
Everyone looked up. Through the clouds in the sky you could see a faint glow high above. It looked like a second sun but a lot smaller. Presently the glow gave a pulse and then milliseconds later a huge beam of searing energy screamed through the atmosphere and collided with the city. The metal was flash boiled in a second and the ground instantly turned to glass and shattered under the immense heat. The whole group was thrown from their feet by the sudden blast. The beam soon tapered off and vanished as the bright spot in the sky went out. Sonic scrambled to his knees and looked at where the city had been. All that was left was a small crater and a pool of molten metal and glass.
"Sally?" he asked slowly.
"Oh god…" said Jet getting up.
Miles had already burst into tears, something he hardly ever did, and had collapsed on Bunnie. Bunnie was hugging him tightly with her eyes closed tight, small tears were forming in the corner of her eyes. Links just sat on the ground where he had fallen with his head bowed in silence.