Part 2

It was a few hours later when Bunnie slowly regained consciousness. The sun was still shining mercilessly, and although Bunnie was still half-out it of, she knew she was very thirsty.

She tried to move, but her body wouldn't co-operate. Bunnie blinked her eyelids in an effort to wake herself up. Her body ached all over from the pain of the attack...

The robot! Bunnie came completely awake. She had fought the mecha-fox and then...and then... she was knocked out. Why hadn't it killed her? Did it do something to her while she couldn't defend herself? What did it plan to do? Bunnie was sure she didn't want to know.

She struggled again, but found that neither her arms or her legs would move. By moving her head around, Bunnie managed to glimpse what is holding her in place. Her legs, which are sprawled out over the ground, were covered in a strange metallic substance. Whatever it was worked so effectively, that Bunnie doubted a crowbar and torch would undo it. She assumed the same thing had been done to her hands, which she couldn't see or move.

Someplace nearby somebody whistled a rather off-key tune. One of Mina Mongooses songs.

"Who's there?" yelled Bunnie, hoping it was a friend.

It wasn't.

The mecha-fox appeared, carrying a couple of fish in its clawed hands. Bunnie briefly wondered if Eggman had lost it. She doubted that he'd programmed his robots for hospitality. Or that trout could be used as a lethal weapon.

"Well you're finally awake," said a feminine yet robotic voice.

"Yeah, no thanks to you, bolt-breath," growled Bunnie. "Now let me go so we can have a rematch, fist tah fist!"

The robot stared right at her face and replied, "I will let you go."

Shock. The last emotion Bunnie had expected to feel. Anger, yes. Disgust, most likely. A good chance of fear. But not shock.

The robot finished its sentence, "If you promise not to attack me anymore."

The pond was silent for a few seconds as Bunnie took in what she'd just heard.

"Never! Why should I trust you!"

The 'fox' gave a lopsided smirk. "Cause if you don't, I'm not letting you go. And I bet you won't be able to get free for a long time. Besides..." it continued, "I'll promise not to attack if you agree."

Bunnie wasn't sure what to say. This is not something she expected to hear from a robot, and if it was one of Robotniks, then she shouldn't trust it. Honestly though, this was about as Robotnik-like as his pledging to give up world domination.

"Oh, ah, um...ah-kay," said Bunnie reluctantly.

"Radi- erm... great!" The mecha-fox looks relieved. For a few seconds, it stood there, its electronic blue eyes staring intently at Bunnie. Then it held out a clawed hand "Here, let me help you up."

"But mah hands are..." Bunnie pulled her hands forward. She found that her legs could move also.

The robot grasped Bunnies hand and pulled her upright before she could react.

"...thanks," finished Bunnie.

"Do you want these fish?" asked the mecha-fox.

It was a while later when Bunnie arrived at the edge of Knothole Village. After the 'fox' had let her go, Bunnie retrieved her hat, and took a long drink from the pond. She had declined the robots offer of fried trout, wondered briefly if it was an escaped reject, and quickly walked away. Keeping an eye behind her, in case it had followed. So far, it hadn't.

Bunnie sighed with relief. At least it wasn't terrorizing the village yet. If it was going to be a threat, at least the Freedom Fighters would be ready for it.

Clang! Bunnie whirled around at the sound.

The Mecha fox was standing there, a cloud of dust swirling behind it.

"Why didn't you say you were headed this way?" it asked.

Bunnie stayed silent and looked at it with suspicion. It was either broken, or extremely clever. Either way, she didn't want it near Knothole.

"Not going to talk now?" it said after noticing Bunnies silence. "Well you could at least tell me a good place to stay and catch z's- I meant sleep. It seems like forever since I've been in bed. Please, since I was nice enough to let you go, could you help me?" It was on its knees in a begging position.

Bunnie changed her opinion. It was either psycho, or remote controlled.

"Wonder what King Elias would..." Bunnie mumbled without thinking.

The mecha foxes virtual eyes grew several times larger. "You mean, like, King Elias Acorn. Here! This is awesome! He's the guy I'm looking for! Wait for me!" it yelled as it dashed into the forest. "I'll be right back!"

"Wha- get back here!" Bunnie yelled, but the 'fox' had rushed off.

"Zhere you are!" exclaimed the heavily accented voice of Antione D'Coolete "Where ave' you been moi belle? We ave been looking all ovair for you."

"Ah'm sorry, ah got into a rukus with ah robot..."

"Are you z'allright?" Antione was both curious and worried.

"Ah'm good, cept the stupid things still kickin..."

"That iz not good...", Antione muttered darkly to himself.

"I'm back!" a voice called from the forest. It sounded very feminine, and not the least bit robotic.

Antione stepped in front of Bunnie, sword drawn, an angry protective look on his face.

A 17 year old mongoose stepped out. She had dark brown fur, long hair, and blue eyes. The exact same shade as the robots. What was immediately noticeable was that the lower portion of her body was robotic, as well as both of her hands.

"Who's your friend?" she asked when she saw Antione.

Bunnie was rather surprised, only saying "Uh..."

"Who iz you!" barked Antione, swinging his sword in front of him.

"Chill, dude," she holds her hands in front of her "My names Kyra, Kyra Strongfoot," she smiled sheepishly.

Antione let his down his guard a little.

"You're the robot. How...?" Bunnies confused speaking caused Antione to put his guard back up.

To summarize the long and occasionally redundant conversation, Kyra managed to explain that she was here to see the King; she refused to explain about the robot suit, or even why she came. Bunnie finally managed to get the stubborn Antione to give her a chance, after explaining all that happened- that Kyra had been trustworthy so far, and she doesn't seem like ones of Eggman's lackeys. They then all headed to the Court of Acorns, though Antione still has his sword drawn.

At the Court of Acorns, Bunnie was greeted warmly by her curious friends. News has a way of traveling fast. By the time Bunnie had reached the castle, they had gathered to see the 'robot' that Bunnie had 'captured'.

Bunnie went to the throne room to speak with Elias, while Antione watched their guest. Antione had been on his guard since meeting Kyra, Bunnie knew it was because he still viewed Krya as a potential threat to her. It was cute that he was so determined to protect her, but she hoped it wouldn't lead to trouble. She headed into the room and saw that Elias and several Freedom Fighters were waiting.

"So what happened Bunnie?" Sonic was the first to ask, after Bunnie had entered the throne room. "I heard that you single-handedly wrestled that robot to the ground. Then you hog-tied it with a piece of rope, and rode it back to Knothole."

Bunnie knew Sonic was joking. "Well ah don't know who told yah that, but they forgot about mah being blindfolded too!"

Sonic laughed, "At least you seem to be alright."

"Just a little bit sore," admitted Bunnie.

"What did happen?" asked Tails bluntly.

"I'll tell you all in ah minute, jest let me talk to King Elias first."

"She is right," said Elias, who had been waiting patiently on his throne. "Now I've been told that you have something you wish to show us. From what I've heard, it should prove most interesting," he stood up, "Now if you may..."

"Ouef! Stop zis! Arretez-tu! Please!" Yells from Antione interrupted the conversation. He was being literally dragged into the throne-room by Kyra, who was attached to him by a pair of handcuffs. Kyra held Antione's sword in her free hand, swinging it angrily, though rather awkwardly and amateurish. She saw Elias and stopped momentarily to give him a respectful bow. Then she turned viciously towards Antione, sword still in hand.

"This, this... Soldier Boy! Tried to drag me off to your prison without letting me see the King!" She swung Antione's sword wildly around, nearly taking out poor Tails ear.

"Hey watch it!" he cried out, as he jumped back to safety.

Kyra calmed down a little bit, "I'm sorry, but he is a bum. Trash! Scum is better than him! He just makes me so mad!"

"I'm sorry your majesty, but..." started Antione.

"Zip it, Soldier Boy, your pushing your luck already. I'm the one who asked to see the King. Not you! Now slice off these cuffs. Please," she added on reluctantly. Holding out his sword so he could take it back.

"Can we all listen to what Bunnie has to say," commanded Elias, trying to get the conversation back on topic.

Antione quickly cut off the handcuffs, and speedily moved away from Kyra, who decidedly did not want to be near him.

Bunnie then proceeded to talk about what little she knew about Kyra, Making sure to mention that Kyra wanted to see him about something important.

Elias thought over what had been said, then called Kyra forward.

"So you wish to see me about something?" he addressed the mongoose who was standing in front of him.

"Yes, sir," she sounded just a little bit nervous. "Do you mind if we could have this conversation privately?"

"No, because these are perilous times and you're still a stranger. Now is not the time to take unnecessary risks."

"I know," she muttered humbly.

"You don't need to worry, whatever you say in here will be kept confidential. These are the Freedom Fighters, my most trusted allies."

"Dont' worry about us," said Tails.

"We'll keep your secret," added Rotor.

"You can bet your life on it," exclaimed Bunnie.

"Totally confidential!" confirmed Sonic.

Kyra glared at Antione, who was nodding his head solemnly in agreement.

Kyra sighed in relief, "Well, if that's the way it has to be."

She bent over, fiddling around with some hidden compartment on her leg. A soft click was heard and the compartment opened up. Kyra pulled a small rolled up piece of paper out.

"Read this," she said simply, handing the paper to Elias.

Elias unwrapped the parchment and pulled it open. He looked through it, reading it carefully, and nodding thoughtfully on occasion. When finished, he re-rolled it and handed it back to Kyra.

He stayed silent for a moment, seeming troubled as he thought over something. Soon, he came to a decision.

"I'm sorry, I wish we could help, but Robotnik is not likely going to stop attacking us," he stated gravely.

Kyra stood deathly still for a second, before collapsing on the spot. Sonic and Tails managed to catch her before she hit the floor.

"Is she alright?" asked a shocked Bunnie.

"I think so," Sonic checked for a pulse, and found one.

Tails picked up the parchment, opened it, and quickly glanced through. "Request Royal...Dire sit...may face...Valuable asset to... immediately... humbly yours..." Tails muttered as he read. "Why do politicians need to write so fancy?" he mused, "Anyhow, I can see why she's acting the way she is. If even half of this is true, then her home may be in danger."

"What?!" exclaimed Sonic.

"Apparently, she comes from one of the few true blue holdout cities. And Robotnik has never been known for being a good sport when it comes to losing."

"True that dawg. So why aren't we helping?" Sonic focused the question at Elias.

"Because, we don't have enough resources. Besides, they are located over half a continent away. I also fear that Robotnik may already know about their messenger, and is just waiting for the freedom fighters to move out..."

"Yeah, she might have been tricked by him," Tails added.

"Well, trick or not, whatever happens, I'm gonna be ready. Or my name ain't Sonic."