Another Lover

Chapter Eight: Fashion of Hope

As Knuckles and Monica carried Tails down the path to go to Knothole, Monica couldn't help but wonder about what Tails had said before at the headquarters. 'I can't believe it, he actually said he loved me. But the question is, do I love him back?' Monica thought. Knuckles saw her deep in thought and tried to cheer her up. "Tails is going to be ok, I know this isn't his first time facing death." he said. Monica looked at the big, red echidna. "Thanks for that, my name is Monica Floyd." she said. "Mine is Knuckles the Echidna." he said. They continued to walk on in silence as they got closer to Knothole. Monica noticed that Tails was sleeping, he was snoring a little and it kind of made her smile. 'Out of all this, he decides to go to sleep. I don't blame him though, I'm tired myself.' Monica thought.

They made it to the entrance and the guard knew better than to stick his sword out this time. He was getting complaints that he scared the villagers and almost made them run away. "Ah Knuckles, it's been too long." the guard said. "Same to you old timer." Knuckles said and shook the guard's hand. They went inside Knothole and went to the medical hut. Monica knocked on the door and it opened. A red tigress stood at the door with an apron on. "Are you the doctor?" Monica asked. The tigress looked at her with sweet and soft eyes. "Yes I am, may I help you?" the doctor asked. "Tails needs your help, he was badly injured and I don't know if he can recover." Monica said, taking Tails from Knuckles shoulder and showing the doctor. The doctor looked at him for a few minutes and made her conclusion. "I'll get to work on him right away." she said and took him from Monica's shoulder. Then she closed the door behind her.

"Hey wait, I wanted to come in." Monica said to the door. Knuckles put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, he'll make it, just you watch and see." Knuckles said. Monica smiled weakly, "You're right. So, you still didn't tell me how you found out where we were." Monica said. Knuckles looked at her with serious eyes and folded his arms. "Well, it first started a month ago, when I was guarding the Master Emerald. I had to take care of one of my friend's bracelets and they somehow got lost. Since these were not normal bracelets, I could sense where they were. I searched for about a month, I never knew that it would be that hard to find. But when I actually caught up to it, I found out that some clerk had it. I tried to get it back from him, but he just ran away. When I finally got to him, he said he didn't have it anymore. He had sold it to 'Desert Fox'. I didn't know who he was talking about and was lost. But yet again, I found out that when the bracelets glow, that's when I can trace them. I found out where they were and bust down the headquarters, thus saving you two." Knuckles said.

"Wow." Monica said in a whisper. "It looked like I had made it just in time too, one second later and Tails wouldn't have a heart to give to you." Knuckles said. Monica quickly got offended. "That's not funny!" she yelled. Knuckles quickly stepped back, raising his hands as to defend himself. "Sorry, Sonic's more better with those types of jokes anyway." he said. Monica sighed, "It's okay, I've been so edgy lately, I guess I had to let it out on someone." Monica said. Knuckles eased up a bit and sighed.

Two weeks later…

Tails had finally gotten out of the medical hut and he didn't suffer any permanent damage, which surprised him that such a big whole would just heal itself to perfect condition. Tails walked out of the medical hut to be greeted by the happy vixen. Monica hugged him close. "I'm so glad you're alive, I thought I lost you." Monica whispered. "Well then, that would suck. That would mean I went through all of that trouble of asking you out for no reason." Tails said. Sonic walked up to the duo and hit his pal on the back. "I can't believe you actually put it to him. You're braver than I thought." Sonic said, gleefully. Tails quickly got hot headed. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Tails asked. Sonic laughed, "Don't worry about it pal, at least you're alive and safe, that's what matters." he said. Tails looked at the ground. "You're right." Tails said.

Tails had called a meeting in the boardroom to discuss a plan that he had. Monica had joined him at his side and all the others sat down in their seats. Tails cleared his throat as the last ones got seated. "I have devised a plan that will take Robotnik by surprise, he will not notice this attack because we have never tried it before. But this plan is as simple as it comes." Tails said. He flicked off the lights and a screen showed with a map that was zoomed in on the compounds and the factories. Tails pointed at one of the compounds; "We will strike here, causing him to bring out most of his Shadow bots. Bunnie and Rotor will lead that team to that area." he said. Then he pointed to another area on the map that was the field near Knothole. "Since he knows where Knothole is now, we should be guarding this area. Knuckles, being the strongest, will lead this group of Freedom Fighters." he said. Then he pointed at a line that cut across the Robotropolis and Knothole entrance. "We need someone fast to post here, seeing how Robotnik will try a sneak attack on the front lines and will try to advance. Sonic will lead a group to stay there to hold off any bots." Tails said.

Then he pointed at the headquarters and the sky area. "I will post the skies and try to get to Robotnik myself. I know it sounds crazy, but seeing how I was just in there, I know the lines of defenses in that area. Then I will destroy all of the main computers and the generators, which will shutdown all of the robots." Tails said. Monica looked at Tails. "I want to come with you. There's no point in you going by yourself, you may need a partner." she said. Tails gave her a warm look. "Right, we will both invade his headquarters and take out the computers and generators. This time, it's full frontal assault." Tails said and slammed down his fist on the table.

To Be Continued