Chapter 8

Aurora

Sonic thought he had heard someone but no one was there. He figured that it was his mind again. When the hedgehog tried to go back to sleep he decided to change his position and sleep against the door. When he did the door opened and he fell on his back. His head spun around.

What luck! His cell door was open! Now he could escape! Little did he know that luck, had nothing to do with it.

Sonic cautiously stepped out of his prison and aproached the hallway. When he reached a near by window he saw that the sun was rising. "Perfect!" he thought, "If I'm carefull I'll be out of here before lunch time!"

Now you might be wondering why Sonic didn't use the window to escape. He did try but the window was shut tight with no way to unlock it.

The hedgehog despretly looked for some kind of exit. Sonic was surprised at himself, he had been or broken into Chaos Control so many times, but he could never remember how and where he got out.

As you can imagen security was tight and at every corner there was a security robot. Now of course Sonic could have just given the robots a good beating and be done with them but he didn't feel like having to deal with that light blue hedgehog again! So he tried to keep a low profile.

Sonic wanted ever so much to be a speed demon and zoom right past the bots but he knew he should take it slow. How he hated that! He just despised going or doing anything slow! Never-the-less it was a smart idea and achieved much.

Now of course Sonic was careless at least once and almost was caught. The hedgehog sped down a hallway and almost crashed into another where robots were waiting. It was a good thing he screeched to a stop and hid just in time.

It was too bad Sonic couldn't see the red wires just waiting for him to step on them. Unaware of their presence he set them off. The familer red flash and sirens started up with plenty of robots responding to its call.

"IMMEDIATE LOCK DOWN!" a male computer voice repeated.

Now Sonic would have to fight! It made him sort of happy, just for the fun of it, but he was also was disapointed that he couldn't slip out unoticed like he had planned.

It was a little harder to fight the robots without a ring but Sonic maniged. After slamming down some robots everything looked good.

Now that Sonic was running it made it easier to get through certain areas.

On Sonic's way of making his way out, the thing he dreaded happend. Sure enough the winged hedgehog got in his way.

She made her entrance by kicking him in the face and forcing him back.

The battle was on.

From the control room Dr. Eggman watched merrily grinning with approval.

Rouge, who was still with him, noticed and wondered why his face said, "Care free" all over it.

"Aren't you worried?" Rouge asked in surprise.

"Not at all," he grinned, "that foolish fiend is falling right into my trap!"

Rouge was doubtfull but curious too, "What "trap" is that?"

Eggman laughed through his teeth, "Just watch."

The tussle between the hedgehogs went on with each of them delivering brutal blows. Aurora kicked, then Sonic grabbed her foot, Sonic punched, but Aurora punched back stopping his. Sonic punched Aurora making her hold her face and squeel in pain. Then, for revenge, Aurora threw him making him hit the wall.

Just as soon as Sonic's pain faise faded he jumped at her. Now the two were rolling on the floor. Sonic used this as an avantage to roll toward the "exit" which succeeded. When Sonic saw his way out he tried his best to get to it.

The hedgehog was going to simply run to the door and run out but Aurora grabbed his arm and forced him down.

After a few more punches the hedghog tried again. Sonic meant to kick her in the stomach with both of his feet so she would go hurling backwards, but instead he kicked her forehead and made her fall back and stagger.

Aurora fell over with the broken pieces of the chip flaking off.

This was it! His chance to escape. But he stopped when he realized he might have killed her. "So what?" he thought, "she almost killed me." Even though that was true something didn't feel right.

The hedgehog returned back to her and checked her out. She had a pulse and was still breathing. She was alive. Then he noticed the little scraps of metal scattered on the floor and wondered. What was that? Was that the thing that was on her forehead? Was it controling her? In midst of his thoughts his ears perked up at the sound of robots coming.

"I'll figure this out later," the hedgehog concluded hoisting Aurora over his shoulders, "for now I've gotta' get us outa' here!"

Sonic saw his chance and went for it.

From control central Eggman was preparing for his next attack.

"Now the real fun begins." he laughed cracking his knuckles and pressing some buttons.

The grounds guarded by the gates that enter into Chaos Control were now under the attack of missiles.

Sonic dodged as many as he could, "What's he doing!?!"

Dr. Eggman found his chance to lock onto his target. FIRE! A missle was launched hitting Sonic and making him fly. Sonic skitted across the grounds with sharp rocks tearing at his skin, but his passenger did not go with him. She was lying in the line of battle with a welcoming party of fifty missles! The hedgehog rushed over snagging her just in time before the missles hit her.

"Now that's what I call a blast!" Sonic chuckled.

With the acceleration of some extra speed Sonic disappeared in a flash.

"They got away!" Rouge pointed out.

"Good," Dr. Eggman smiled.

"Good? How is that good?"
Dr. Eggman didn't answere, he was too involved in how good the plan he had made was.

"Now my plan can be put into action."

Sonic's first idea was to pay a visit to the hospital and check on Tails. But for some reason they wouldn't let him in. His second thought was to speed on over to Emerald Town, where he and his friends lived. There, he could check if Tails went home or went to his lab. But Emerald Town was an eight hour run from his current location, filled with many dangers on the way. It wasn't the fact of the danger that he didn't want to go. He wasn't afraid! It more of the fact that he might loose his lugage (Aurora) or if she woke up she might gang up against him if they ran into something.

Besides he would rather go to the Blue Saphire Sea and hang out at Emerald Coast anyway. Not to swim! Just to relax. He had heard that the sunsets are simply gorgious there. Plus, he could go running around the beach!

This was all well and good so, as you may have guessed this is where he went.

Since it was so early in the morning no one was there, except maybe a few honey mooners, but they weren't anywhere near Sonic, so they wouldn't bother him.

Sonic liked the ocean breeze. He stood contently on the shore line, letting the wind blow his spikes back.

"Nice breeze from here." he commented.

Indeed it was.

The hedgehog sat down, with his hands feeling into the sand, and one leg stretched forward with the other bench in. It was nice to have this time to gather from what he had missed from being in that musty old cell! Having the warm rays of the sun again was a great pleasure after being in cold utter darkness.

Since Aurora didn't seem to be in any shape to attack him now was the perfect time to take a nap. The hedgehog positioned himself, with his arms behind his head and one leg crossed over the other.

Dreams seemed to be a new trend for him when he slept. Everytime he shut his eyes dreams filled his mind. This dream went like this:

Sonic had followed the light blue hedge-girl into the small garden in front of the graveyard. When she went inside he stayed right behind trying to be unnoticed.

The hedge-girl led him to a hallway where (in the middle of it) there were rather large stairs leading up to the next level. The hedge-girl turned around and went her opposite direction. Sonic saw his chance to introduce himself and took it.

He jumped down in front of her with a stern face on giving her quit a start.

She looked a little frightened at first but he offered a polite bow and introduced himself, "Hi there! My names Sonic the hedgehog."

The girl looked speechless not knowing who he was or what he wanted, "Is there something I can do for you?"

Sonic hummed a "Hmm?" then shook his head, "Nah, I just wanted to say "hi."

"Oh," she smiled, "Good bye."

Sonic stopped her with a, "Hey! Where are you going?"

She turned to him and gave him a small grin, "Away."

Oh, that was just great. She was playing with him.

"Away where?"

She grinned again only this time she closed her eyes, "Somewhere," then she started to walk away.

Sonic had already gotten the hint that she didn't want to talk to him. But have you ever known our hero to give up? Ha! Not a chance! Sonic rushed in front of her with a blue flash trailing behind him.

"So," he said leaning one hand against the wall, "what's a gal' like you doing in a place like this?"

"Working," she answered trying to pass him, but Sonic wouldn't let her.

"Why?" he grinned.

The girl was starting to get a little annoyed with him, "Because."

"Because why?" he played.

"Because I want to."

The hedge-girl tried to run past him, but he was much to fast for her.

"So what's your name?"

Suddenly things around Sonic began to sway and her voice became very low. making it hard to make out what she was saying.

"Sonic." she moaned in a deep voice.

"Sonic!? You're name can't be Sonic! That's mine name!"

Sonic sooned realized the dream was begining to fade away and everything was in slow motion. Things around him started to melt until there was nothing left. The dream had ended.

When Sonic became fully awake he realized he had slept half the day away. Then he remembered the creature he had brought with him. He turned to check on her but she was gone.

The hedgehog sprung to his feet searching around himself. Where did she go?

Little did he know some he was a little too familyer with was near by.

Dr. Eggman had dragged Aurora behind a boat house and was carefully renserting a new chip onto her forehead. His next plan was perfect! Only a genuis such as himself, could have come up with such a sceam.

Just when his finger tips were about to set the chip in place her eyes flashed open.

For this moment Aurora was completely idle of herself and remembered everything, everything of her past that is. She only had faint memories of what she had done under the chips control.

Aurora was extremely startled when she saw Dr. Eggmans face in hers. Her eyes wondered over to the chip then she remembered.

"No!" she screamed trying to push his arm back.

Since Dr. Eggman had made her so powerful he was having a emencly hard time trying to plant the chip on her forehead.

The evil genuis wrapped his arms around her bracing her back against himself.

Her breathing became heavy with a small breath panic scream in each.

"Quiet you little slut!" he ordered locking her neck between his arm.

Auroras' hands clutched around his arm to keep herself from getting choked.

"You're not your own anymore," he whispered, "you're just like any other creation I've created and you will obey me!"

Now Aurora's personality wasn't that much different from her mind controlled one save she was a bit kinder. And when Aurora heard his words she was angered. She would most certainly not obey him! And as far as she was concerned there was no way he could make her.

The winged hedgehog let out a scornful "No!" then with all of her might she swung her head forward then gave him a powerful headbutt. Just as soon as he fell on his back she despreatly tried to crawl away, but Dr. Eggman wasn't through and he caught he by the ankle.

"I'm not done with you yet!" he roared pulling her toward him.

The poor confused girl couldn't hold back the tears as she let out a another scratchy, "NOO!"
The winged hedgehog kicked at him with the heel of her shoe until she took a slice of his cheek. He held his face but wasn't ready to give up. With another powerful effort her grabbed at her again only this time he grabbed her legs.

He held them stifly so she wouldn't struggle then quickly stuck the chip on like a sticker. Aurora's eyes flashed red then took their regular color before they closed.

Eggman knelt down beside her then lowered his head until their cheeks brushed against eachother.

"Now Aurora the hedgehog," he whispered, "I want you to get as close to Sonic as possible then I want you to brake him!"

He would have given her more commands on how and when to do it but he feared Sonic had heard the tussle and decided to leave it to Aurora.

As he'd feared Sonic had heard them and was walking toward the boat house.

"Who's there!" the hedgehog shouted.

For a second or two no one answered but then one need to. Aurora walked out from behind the hut then leaned against it. The only word she said was soft breathy "hi" and not one of those trying to be sexy "hi" 's eather.

Sonic was totally dumb founded for a moment then he collected himself but he wasn't able to get a question in.

"I just want to thank you for saving my life."

Now usualy Sonic slapped on a big grin for people gave them a thumbs up and said, "any time!" but his reply was different this time.

"No problem." he said trying to find his voice.

Sonic cleared his throat, "So, what did that creep do to you?"

Aurora looked down and tried not to make eye contact, "He used me."

"Whaddya mean?"

Aurora looked up into the sky, "I don't remember."

This made Sonic conclude that the chip had been controling her, but he didn't let his gaurd down just yet.

"So what do you remember?" he asked eagerly awaiting her answere.

"Nothing." she replied.

This didn't make any sence. She didn't remember anything but she knew Eggman had been using her? How could this be so? Sonic asked this question but she surprisingly had a very good answere.

"I saw him just now. He said I was going to do whatever he said just as before. He tried to force me to come with him but I was able to fend him off."

Sonic was getting angry now. Dr. Eggman never seemed to give up and now he was using people to do his dirty deeds! He was getting tired of this and declared he would get revenge for anyone Dr. Eggman had used.

"Will you help me?" Sonic asked.

Aurora held back a sly smile I'm so clever. she thought.

"Of course," she agreed, "you saved my life, I owe it to you."

Sonic liked her choice of words "I owe it to you" but it didn't get to his head.

The hedgehog didn't have time for that sort of thing, now that some time had passed Sonic could do another check on the hospital. Of course the worry of them not letting him in came to mind but if they wouldn't let him in he'd let himself in.

After the two hedgehogs left the beach Sonic was remembered his misunderstanding with GUN and tried to stay in the alleys where he could stay out of sight. Since it was the afternoon the alleys weren't as dark as they could have been but the shadows hid them well.

Sonic spotted the hospital as the alley ended. It was right across the street which meant they had to get across it without being spotted.

It wasn't a problem for Sonic. A sudden flash would be seen but no one would be able to make it out to be him. Sonic remembered that Aurora was fast, but was she fast enough? Sonic assumed she wasn't.

"Just hold onto my arm and we'll run across." he said stretching his arm behind him.

Aurora's girly "pitty me" shook off.

"Don't be silly, I'll meet you over there." she bolted.

Now it was Sonics' turn!

Since Sonic loved to show off he took this as a perfect opportunity.

Sonic started off with a flash but threw in some flips. The second car he passed he flipped over it with one hand then landed on the hood of the next one. Then he back flipped to the next one. Sonic's plan was to land feet first on the top of the next car then jump and finish it all off with casual speed jump. It was too bad he didn't know the sun roof was open. Sonic dived for it but fell through. Now he was in the back seat of the car.

"Oh geez," he said realizing his goof up.

He blinked then turned to a growling creature. Sonic goofy grin was acompanied by a sweat drop as the dog started to foam at the mouth. To get out he used the dog head as a spring and sprung up and out. After causing some havoc with a few cars crashing into each other he made it to the other side.

Aurora was already there with her hands on her hips, "Smooth."

Sonic gave a shruggy grin then changed it to a fighting face, "Now to get inside."

The hedgehog walked up to the front door then looked back at Aurora, "Aren't you comin'?"

She shook her head, "I can just imagine how they'd react to a hedgehog with wings."

Sonic laughed, "I'll see you in a few then."

He entered. The hedgehog looked back and forth. So far so good there was the the front desk and no one had bothered him.

He made his way up then pressed the service bell.

The new nurse turned and at first she didn't see him, "Hello?"

"Down here."

She peared over the desk, "May I help you?"

"Yeah, I'm lookin' for my friend Tails?"

"Tails?" she repeated, "let me see."

The nurse picked up a clip bored and started to lineing it with her index finger, "No, I'm sorry. There's no "Tails" here."

"WHAT?!" Sonic hopped onto the counter and snatched it from her, "let me see that."

Sonic eyes scanned over it but as the nurse had said there was no "Tails" on the list.

"Don't you have a computer or something? His full name is "Miles "Tails" Prower" he's a fox."

The lady walked over to the side to a computer and checked the history on it.

"Ah, yes," she smiled, "you're friend checked out yesterday he said he was going home to look for some one."

That was a load off his mind. At least now he knew Tails was safe.

"Thanks alot!" the hedgehog said jumping down.

After Sonic stepped outside he started to rub his hands together, "I think it's time we payed Tails a little visit."

"Where does he live?" Aurora asked looking at him from around the corner.

"Emerald town." Sonic answered, "follow me."

Since Sonic and Aurora were such fast runners they reached their destination in no time.

Sonic knocked on the door shouting, "Hey Tails! are you home? C'mon' let us in!"

"Sonic?" a voice shouted back, "is that you?"

Sonic smiled as he confirmed, "Yes it's me."

Tails opened the door glowing from head to toe, "Sonic!" he exclaimed giving his friend a bear hug, "I thought they had taken you away."

"Nah, they can't hold me!"

Tails chuckled, "I sure am glad you're ok."

When the fox noticed a weird winged hedgehog behind Sonic he wasn't happy, "Who's that?!"

"This is Aurora." Sonic introduced, "Aurora this is Tails."
The two tailed fox extended his hand and added, "I'm his bestiest buddy and what are you?"

Aurora accepted the hand shake but not the question.

"Uh, won't you come inside?" Tails offered.

"Thanks Tails!" Sonic said rushing in and making himself at home.

Of course Tails didn't find this rude, after all, Sonic had visited Tails lots of time and as far as he was concerned his home was Sonic's.

Aurora also came in but she just leaned against the wall.

"So is this a social visit or a buisness?" Tails asked settling down on his yellow couch.

"Kinda both." Sonic said coming out of Tails kitchen holding a box of cookies. "I think Eggman's up to something."

Tails rolled his eyes, "What else is new."
"No Tails I'm serious! Something isn't solid."

"So what do you want me to do?"

Sonic's head turned toward Aurora, "I need you to do give her a check up."

Aurora was shocked! She thought she had twirled Sonic around her pretty little finger.

"What!" she exclaimed.

"She was working for Eggman and I don't know if I can trust her or not."
Aurora was starting to get nervious, "But I told you why!"

The hedgehog's grin told all and made her realize what he was up to, He wants me to get nervous he's testing me. she thought. Sonic stood up beside her.

"It'll only be a few short tests we just want to make sure you're healthy."

"Is she a robot?" Tails asked unsure of this examination.

Sonic's face went evil, "I don't know. Do you think she needs to take off any exass clothing?"

Now Aurora was not only nervous she was mad. With an insulted gasp she slapped his face then tried to run out the door, but Sonic leanned on it so it shut.

"Whaddya think Tails?" Sonic asked.

Tails peeked out from the side of the couch where he had hidden during Sonic's behavior.

"I-I don't think that's necessary. Beside uh.. the computers broken."

Sonic shrugged, "That's ok. But there is something else I need."

"What?"
"I need some rings maybe about ten. I want to check this "Eggman" thing out later and I want to be on the safe side."
Wow was Tails surprized. Sonic? On the safe side? Wow! Tails was actualy glad Sonic was starting to think so he got him a tube of ten small rings.

"Don't loose them. They're extremely small and easy to loose but hard to find."

"Got it Tails!" Sonic grabbed Auroras wrist not asking whether she wanted to go or not, "Thanks alot!" he waved as he ran away.

Tails waved back, "Be carefull Sonic!"