My Heart Doth Wander

Chapter 9 : Witch Princess

Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming

I cannot cease for the fear of silent nights

Oh, how I long for the deep sleep dreaming

The goddess of imaginary light

In my field of paper flowers

And candy clouds of lullaby

I lie inside myself for hours

And watch my purple skies fly over me.

"Imaginary" – Evanescence

Two days later.

Sally awoke with a start. She heard loud voices outside. Lupe and her pack must have arrived, and they were being greeted. But no...she tilted her head, frowning. These voices were angry.

She rose from the bed and shed her pink nightgown, changing quickly into vest and boots, strapping NICOLE to one, and exited the hut. Outside, Sonic was aiming a gloved finger at a small group of villagers. They weren't looking at each other though, they were staring at the wall of Sally's hut. She stopped and watched them.

"We didn't do it!" One of the group whined defiantly. "We don't believe that crap!"

"Oh sure!" Sonic growled, and one of his feet tapped impatiently. "You just happened to be walking by, I bet!"

"That's right, and you better lay off or-"

Sally reached the group. "What is going on here?" She demanded, and then she glanced to the wall of her hut.

Written in large bold letters of mud was the word "WITCH". Beneath the wall, the dirt had scoop marks from the angry fingers that had smeared the accusation.

"I bet we can get fingerprints or something off this!" Sonic jabbed his glove at the word, his eyes fiercely alight. "Then we'll find out who did it!"

"And do what to 'em?" A male dog stepped forward in the group. "She might not believe that 'crap'," He aimed a thumb at the whiny female who was still shaking her head. "But I'm not so sure, myself!" He eyed Sally with a cold steely gaze. "I saw some of the stuff she did. She used MAGIC against that black lady."

"Whatever," retorted Sonic, even though he'd seen the battle between Sally and Casssar as well, and could hardly deny that his lover had used unearthly powers. "Whatever, you don't know. Croissant has magic...but Sally doesn't. I think you should be blaming Croissant for all this!"

"That's Casssar," Sally corrected and touched a finger to the 'W' on the wall. "But Sonic's right...Casssar is the enemy! Casssar and Snively." She refrained from adding, 'Not me! Not me! What is wrong with you, have I ever tried to HARM any of you!?' Her tongue itched to say it.

"But you don't deny using magic! Huh?"

"Who cares if she did?!" Sonic butted in. "So what? Dulcy can do magic and no one says crap about her!"

"She's a dragon. Dragons are SUPPOSED to have Powers." Another iron-hard gaze was thrown to Sally. "And Dulcy never killed anyone."

"It was ROBOTNIK," Sonic seethed. "He DESERVED it!"

"Killin' ain't right, but some people just have it comin'," an accented voice cut in. Sally turned to see Bunnie and Geoffrey. "Ah would've killed the basthad too, if Ah had caught him in Knothole before Sally-girl had."

Geoffrey nodded. "Shit, yeah. You can't tell me you wouldn't kill Robotnik to protect Knothole." He sneered, fangs glinting. "Or maybe you wouldn't, you bunch of pansies. You'd probably just LET him round everyone up, eh? You know what he'd DO? He'd KILL all of you!"

"HEY!" A small raccoon nervously waved a hand at Geoffrey. "You got some of us together, remember? We WERE fighting!" He shivered. "But that black lady...she did something... Can't remember anything after that. Except waking up and seeing Robotnik dead." He blinked. "I didn't even know the Princess had...had killed him."

"There's too many un-answered questions," the whiny lady complained. "That's the problem. Maybe you should explain to everyone, Princess. So that we know what REALLY happened!"

Sally kept staring at the word. Witch. It held so much negative connotations. But there was nothing wrong with magic-users. They just had a special ability, that's all, like Sonic's speed, or Tails' flying. It was the fact that they thought she used her so-called Powers for evil, for murder. Even the murder of the one they all feared and hated. It was scary...scary to know someone had the power to murder. 'But I used a knife,' she thought cynically. 'Anyone can do THAT.'

Casssar was a witch. A dark witch. It was SHE who had possessed the villagers, and turned them into murderers. They didn't know that. They couldn't. They couldn't know, because Daddy was preventing her from telling them the truth. That they had been controlled by Casssar through the Source... They couldn't know that Cu Chulainne had helped her fight Casssar off and wipe Snively's memory clean of the location of Knothole. No...all they could know was that their Princess had killed Robotnik, and that she had fought the strange black lady with magic, and that they themselves had been in some sort of magical coma, unable to remember what they had done. What a dilemma.

"Maybe I will," she said wearily. "Maybe I WILL explain everything." She thought of her father, and was suddenly angry. Maybe HE should explain it, she hissed inwardly. "But first...the Wolf Pack will be arriving, and we have to plan for a mission." She turned her back on the group, facing Sonic, Geoffrey, and Bunnie. Behind her, she heard them grumbling, but they dispersed.

Geoffrey was giving her an odd look. It took her a moment to understand it, but as a small smile curled his lips, she realized it was... comprehension. As if he were sharing her secret with her. Sonic just looked peeved, his green eyes glaring at her hut wall.

"Ok," she said, shrugging off Geoffrey's look; it gave her a pang of discomfort. She appreciated his sympathy...but it didn't FEEL like just pretense...it felt like he really KNEW. But that was impossible. Unless he'd followed her and saw her go in the secret door?

'No. I was always careful. There was never anyone around.'

"Ok, well, like I told them, we need to start thinking up a game plan for when the wolves get here. If we want to get Snively out of power..."

"Yeah. We do." Geoffrey nodded, the smile fading from his lips, but remaining in his eyes, little conspiring twinkles.

A red and white shoe kicked against the wall of her hut. "I think we should get this trash off here, first." Sonic rubbed his glove angrily against the letter "T."

"Ah agree!" said Bunnie.

"Ah, what's the point?" A large sigh escaped the Princess. "They'll just do it again."

"Ya'll can't take that kind of treatment!" Bunnie scowled, pushing one floppy ear out of her face. She put her organic arm around Sally. "C'mon now, Sally-girl, don't let them fools get ta ya!"

"Alright," She relented.

They spent the next hour washing the muddy word off her hut, and Bunnie took it upon herself to pull the weeds in Sally's flower garden and wash her windows.

"Now ya'll can come over to mah place," said Bunnie after they were finished. Sonic grimaced.

Geoffrey chuckled. "I think MY hut needs a little more attention...I've got a whole pile of dirty dishes..."

"Pig," Sonic said, and Geoffrey scoffed.

"Oh sure, hedgehog, last time I saw your place it looked like a tornado had hit-"

"Now, now, boys," Bunnie playfully gave them both a shove.

Antoine came running up, tripping over a rock. He fell in pile at Bunnie's feet and she pulled him up. As she brushed off his uniform, Antoine panted, "Pardon moi, but zee Wolf Pack is being on their ways here. Tails and I saw from zee lookout tower....he is leading them here right now."

"Way past," Sonic said, grinning. He was a big fan of Lupe's. Geoffrey was nodding...he was fond of Lupe too, but not for the same reason as Sonic. The hedgehog loved her confident poise and soft, but determined attitude. Geoffrey...well...

"I hope she's still wearing that lil blue get-up," he said.

"Let's go to the firepit to meet them," Sally suggested, before any of the chastising comments in Bunnie's head could reach her mouth. Sonic discarded his muddy gloves on Sally's front step and they made their way to the village center, gathering around the remains of the previous fire.

"My Goddess."

Lupe's usually calm stern eyes were filled with awe. Impressed. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached into the wooden box that housed the gleaming metal arm, ears and eyes of the late Julian Robotnik. Those gray digits ran along the cold length of the arm, then withdrew. Her mouth became a thin determined line. "Your people are fierce warriors indeed, Princess."

To Sally's surprise and dismay, Lupe and her followers dropped to one knee before her. "We are humbled before such strength."

"Oh no...n-n-no," Sally stammered, crouching down in front of the Wolven Chieftain and grabbing her by the shoulders. She stood up, pulling Lupe with her. "No, don't bow."

'You don't know what really happened.'

"We're not any higher than you."

Sonic looked about to crack a joke, but he seemed to sense something, his lover's shame, and he nodded vigorously. "Yeah, c'mon guys, stand up."

"We're ALL Freedom Fighters," Bunnie said.

The wolves stood, but they still beheld Sally with reverent eyes all through the dinner.

She was grateful for the fall of night, for around the campfire the twinkling light in the wolves' eyes could be attributed to the crackling flames.

The fire was sizzling. Tails, Dulcy, and their wolf pup friends were throwing pine needles onto the burning embers.

Lupe looked over the fire at Sally. "What is going on the city? How is it faring?"

"We haven't been there yet," the Princess admitted. "I imagine it's the same as ever."

"Dark n' ugly," said Tails.

"And stinky," said Dulcy, fanning her nose. The two wolf cubs giggled.

"We're thinking," Geoffrey gestured at himself and Tory. "That security might be a little lax around there. Snively not being smart like his ole Uncle and all."

Sally stiffened. What a fool thing to say. She held her sharpest reprimands back. "Even if that's so, we CAN'T underestimate him." She was like a broken record. But she had never been one of the ones who deemed their enemy a stupid baby. Well...a baby, maybe. Immature.

But a baby with cunning in those big blue eyes.

The chieftain's soft voice agreed. "No, no. I imagine we shouldn't."

Her eyes were probing Sally for something. She wondered what, trying to hide her discomfort, as the sparks popped out of the fire like burning fireflies. One landed on Lupe's foot and she didn't flinch. The wolf's eyes were so placid yet strong, like the eye of a storm. She was like a goddess, a great beautiful goddess connected to Mobius itself.

'Like Cu. But not like Cu.'

Cu was not disappointed by a lack of strength. Cu did not damn weakness or confusion or hate. Sally had a feeling, that if the wolf goddess were to sift through her thoughts she would be most displeased. She might even be disgusted.

She didn't ever want to see disappointment in Lupe's gaze, never wanted it directed at her. She glanced over at Sonic and Geoffrey. And not at them. Her mind's eye saw her father. And never, ever towards him.

"We'll see how smart he is, I guess," said Sonic. "I don't think it matters. Robuttnik was smart, wasn't he? And now..." He jerked his head towards the flames. "He's nothing."

There was silence for a long while. The children went to bed. The flames died down. Some plans were laid out in quiet tones, until finally, Sonic yawned and announced that everyone needed sleep. He put his arm around Sally as they left, walking her to her hut.

"Night, Sal."

"Goodnight, Sonic."

From the pen of Princess Sally Acorn

Dear Journal...

Today we woke up early and despite the oncoming autumn, the air held warmth, and the morning sun was turning the leaves to shimmering copper rust and red fire. Gods, it was utterly gorgeous. A day to feel ALIVE. A day for victories.

We didn't march like soldiers to the brink of the dark city. We skipped and sang and laughed. Spirits were high even as we drew near to the heart of Robotropolis, where the colors and light disappeared.

We started off by destroying a few factories. We spoke into every SpyEye in sight, telling Snively it was all over. His retaliation was weak and easily fought back. The city was in shambles and disorganized. Snively was nowhere near the strategist of his Uncle, and he lacked that fierce passion, that feeling of 'this is personal.' Everything was personal to Robotnik.

Snively came out to confront us, with SWATbots and a laser rifle. He fought to the end, which was surprising to me. Maybe I should be a little sad. One of Lupe's pack took him down with a shot to the heart.

Maybe I should cry a bit, thinking about his small body lying amidst the junk and dirt, a total failure...a total waste of life. No but no...maybe I shouldn't. He chose to waste it. We'll burn him, though, or bury him....give him some last respect at least.

So...in high spirits we returned home and we'll be drawing up plans later to rebuild Mobotropolis. Daddy is smiling for real today.

I saved the best thing for last, Journal. Sonic and I kissed at the edge of Robotropolis, after our victory. It was the most amazing thing I've ever felt. I can't even begin to describe it. But here... it was so warm, so tender. So connected. I could feel his soul and he could feel mine, and there was no uncertainty anymore. He knows he'll never be useless; he'll always be pivotal to MY world. And I know I'll never be alone in my burdens ever again. Because he'll carry them too.

We're going to tell Daddy tonight...that we're going to get married.

This is the best day of my life. If I died right now, I would die fulfilled. But let us hope that many more days lie ahead. I just know they'll be filled with light from now on.

Morning in Knothole. Uncle Chuck was standing by the firepit, his robotic hide gleaming in the early light.

Lupe and a few of her pack members smiled at him. "We heard of your bravery," she said. "But it's not the first time you've saved Knothole, is it?"

Uncle Chuck smiled and shook his head. "It's just part of the job."

"Eh?" Sonic looked at Sally, confused. The squirrel looked tired, but strangely elated. Her hair was mussed from sleep but she didn't seem concerned. 'Strange,' the hedgehog thought.

She shrugged.

Lupe raised an eyebrow, elaborating. "King Acorn told of Sir Charles's last minute save. He hacked into the Robotropolis mainframe and erased Knothole's coordinates. So Snively couldn't come back."

"Oh uh, yeah!" Sonic said, grinning broadly. "Yup, my Uncle Chuck is a smart one."

Sally stared at Charles. He smiled.

"I didn't know you-" She began and then nodded. "Yes, Charles's bravery has saved us a few times before." She grinned at Lupe's expression, that unsettling searching look. "It's been so hectic around here, that I'm afraid I'm getting a little air-brained."

The wolf Chieftain nodded.

Sonic glanced at his watch. "We'd better get ready and get on the road. I can't wait to bust some ole Snidely butt."

The elated look on Sally's face faded. "Yes," she said, and excused herself. She strode off quickly, with both hedgehog and wolf eyes staring bemusedly after her.

"Hey Sal, whatsa matter?" Sonic stood outside her bathroom door ten minutes later. He could hear small sniffling sounds.

"Oh nothing." She threw open the door and he jumped back. "I just had this dream, Sonic, that it was ALL over. It was just so beautiful." She angrily swiped at her messy hair, her eyes wet. "And this morning, I still was thinking it was real! Until you reminded me of the mission!"

"Gee Sal, I'm sorry," he said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "But hey, your dream is gonna be real, real soon!"

Dear Journal, someday I'll look back and believe all the lies. Someday all the lies will be truth.

How many lies have to build up before a truth is born underneath them, like a diamond being formed from coal? Can I even dig it out, will I have the strength to? And what happens to all the lies, how many hands will they stain, how many coal miners will have blackened skin and lungs at the end of it all?

Sonic was eating a piece of candy off the bowl on her kitchen table. "Hey Sal," he said, chewing, "How come Snively didn't come back? I don't remember Uncle Chuck talking about doing that."

"I don't know. Maybe he just forgot."

"Him? Forget something like that?" Sonic chortled. "Yeah right, Sal! Did someone use a memory scrambler on him again?"

"I don't know. Maybe they did..."

Yeah, they had. But she couldn't tell him that.

"I just think it's kind of weird, that's all," he said, taking a few more pieces of candy before escorting her outside.

"It is," she agreed.

Next time I open the hut door and crawl inside my bed, I hope I'm smiling and not crying...I hope the war is over and not still thriving. I hope dreams do come true. Or at least, the good dreams. Because HE dreams too...

The group was assembled. Lupe and three of her pack members. Canis, Diablo and Thunderhill. Bunnie. Geoffrey. Sonic and Sally.

They began to walk. Surprising, Sonic slowed his usual hectic pace, perhaps out of honor for their guests.

Thunderhill eyed the distant city with a disgusted eye. "Instead of this skulking about we're going to be doing, why do we not just go in and kill the little rat?"

Sally glanced over at him. "You guys are willing to kill him?" She thought of her dream, and eyed them. They had their mechanical crossbows with them. Feather-ended bolts ready to plunge into the tyrant's heart.

"Yes," the wolf answered savagely, but Lupe's silken voice cut in.

"We are willing if we must. If he surrenders, then it is cowardice to kill him." She eyed Sally keenly. "And it is your decision, or your father's, is it not?"

"No," said Sally, after a moment's pause. "I don't know. He'd say it was. But I don't know. Snively didn't just hurt us...he and Robotnik hurt everyone."

"Very well." The Chieftain cast Thunderhill an icy look. "We will kill him if we must, but otherwise, there is to be no death."

The wolf snorted. Geoffrey rolled his eyes.

Dear Journal, will I seem callous if I agree with them? That, as much as justice would be better...having Snively serve time (his lifespan and nothing less) for his crimes? Rotting in the knowledge of all the wrong he did? That would be better, but the bigger part of me wants to see him dead on the ground.

They reached the outskirts of the city.

They went further in, to the looming clanking hissing smog-spewing factories...and this was their goal for the day. A simple test of cause and effect.

He dreams too – but broken dreams. Broken dreams don't come true.