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We're going to be doing things a little bit different this time. This next story I decided to challenge myself a bit, so instead of Acts being released in chunks, I'll give the story time to breathe by releasing it chapter by chapter. It will still be divided into two Acts or "stories" in this case and I'll make sure to mark them as such.

If things work well enough, I'll divide up the earlier stories in a similar fashion for easier consumption! As always, leave feedback in a review or PM!

Episode Recommendations: "Hooked On Sonics" (Season 1), Warp Sonic (Season 1), Blast to the Past (Season 2)

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-Sonic Hearts-

Act I: Antoine's Quest

Chapter 1

"That lad has potential. I've seen him making mock thrusts with that stick of his when playing with the others." The young squirrel king pinched the end of his mustache lightly as he beamed at the sight of the young coyote. Him and one of his royal guard who had served proudly in the Great War, a stately gentleman clad in the blue garb of his station, nodded in agreement. "You should put him in a training program as soon as possible..."

"I fear the boy has no real love for the art of war, Your Highness." The elder coyote replied, not with disappointment but with measured relief. A wistful sigh gave his motives away. "You see, we are entering a new era of peace for Mobotropolis. Kind hearts like him will be leading the charge!"

King Acorn frowned and shook his head at him, as he brought a hand across the city before them. "Armand, you have to understand one thing about the realities of this world. There will always be something to defend. Sadly, peace is not forever in this ever changing world..."

"Always the pragmatist, my liege...?" The elder coyote paused to consider his next words, playing with the long goatee that rested just below his well groomed mustache. "The future, in my honest opinion, should be a bright one, unsullied by the conflicts of old."

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"Oh! Oui... I understand. Yes! Just a moment!" Antoine head darted back and forth as numerous shouts of different entrees and appetizers assaulted his ears. The Wolf Pack was starving and he had just made the cardinal mistake of leaving out fliers stating 'Taste Testers Needed. Meet at Antoine's Hut for Details'.

Holding up his hands defensively, he slowly backed up to the door of his hut and darted immediately inside, shutting it hastily behind him! The rabbot was taking a break within to reapply some choice welds to Nicole. She needed all the help she could get assisting with the injuries sustained during their prior mission. The lynx had agreed to assist with cooking duties in return. They all now stared at the panicked coyote with motherly concern. "Oh Bunnie, what are we to do!? They are ravenous...!"

"Oh dear me, you look positively pale Antoine... Actually, that's kinda normal for you, I guess!" The golden furred lady and AI lynx giggled in unison as the royal guard furrowed his brow. He peered out the window to find the mob had finally settled, now seated in a tight circle in a clearing nearby.

Taking a small towel, the coyote wiped copious amounts of sweat off his forehead and slumped into a nearby seat. "This one will be taking a little time for rest and repose, I think..."

"Try telling that to the Wolf-Pack, hun." Bunnie gestured outside at one gray wolf crept up to window and tried to catch a hint of the scent from within. This led to the coyote to respond in kind and found himself leaping from his seat! Stifling laughter, the rabbot had a wide grin on her face from the display of affection for her skill. "Wow. Antoine. Didn't know my cookin' could wake the dead, sugar!"

"I believe he found his 'second wind', Bunnie." Nicole replied as her servos began the process of healing. The damage to her shoulder was the most severe and took up the majority of her attention to make sure it healed properly. "Wish I could find mine..."

"Ah, I have just the 'ting to help. An idea I've been 'punting' around, so to speak." The half-metal lady rolled her eyes at his continued misuse of words. All of the Freedom Fighters have pretty much given up correcting him at this point.

She brought a hand over her heart as Antoine gestured toward her with a loving gaze and a outstretched hand. "This one is inspired by you, mademoiselle, or rather a recipe that you've mentioned."

"Oh! Now I am most intrigued and curious..." Nicole replied, a captive audience to his outlandish display of affection. Bunnie shot her a stern look as the AI had the penchant for 'sharing information'. "Don't worry. I will not tell a soul about this." Another harsh look from the rabbot as the coyote valiantly held his pose. "Especially Sonic..." The lynx relented with an animated shrug, her eyes rolling into the back of her head.

Turning back to the guard, who remained as still as a statue the entire time, she replied, "At ease, Antoine. Just tell me what you got brewin' in that head of yours!" The young lad relaxed his shoulders with a sigh of relief as he produced a piece of paper copied hastily with near illegible writing. "What -is- that, Sugar-Twan?"

"Mobanana Bread. Made from the freshest of Mobananas. Just for you!" Bunnie shook her head with a weak smile, trying not to hurt his feelings. The perceptive coyote picked up at the veiled disappointment immediately. "What's wrong, mon cheri?"

"I hate to break it to you, Twan... That fruit is hard to come by these days, since it was grown fresh in Mobotropolis back in the day!" At this point, the rabbot moved over to a nearby window and looked out towards the metallic city it had become. Her gaze turned to the lynx this time, as she peered quizzically back at the rabbot. "Did you tell him? Be honest, Nicole."

"I cannot neither confirm nor deny that I have." Bunnie knew a guilty party when she saw one. Heat sinks near the automaton's cheeks glowed with heat and brought up hands to hide her embarrassment.

"I'll go tend to the wolves outside. Don't have too much fun now!" Stepping outside, she resumed the task left to the coyote prior. Nicole sighed heavily as the young guard sidled up to the lynx, looking quite downcast.

"Ah, I have made the fool of myself once again. Will I be rid of this curse?" A black furred hand gripped his shoulder as he looked up at the AI, who now had a devious grin. Antoine was a bit confused and cocked his head in response.

"I may have a solution to this dilemma of yours. Now listen closely..."

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After applying a quick polish to her frame, Nicole stepped outside to the sight of a nervous Royal Guard, now pacing outside her place of rest, the Hydroelectric Dam. "Antoine, I told you it would be fine. It's only on the outskirts of Robotropolis, after all." A shaking golden arm gripped her left arm as she gasped from the tight hold!

"You don't understand. Normally, I traveled with most of the Freedom Fighters as back-up! I don't think-" The lynx hushed him and held up a finger to his long muzzle.

"Now don't be a wet blanket about this. Even though I may be at a slight disadvantage in my current condition, we'll be in and out of the city before you know it!" A warm grin did little to assuage the coyote's doubts as he released his hand from her arm.

"This will be my..." He paused to gulp loudly and stared at his hands as he balled them into fists. "Second...solo mission, mademoiselle. Please be bearing with me..."

Nicole could tell he was mildly shook up as he considered his options and racked her memory logs for the possible reason for his behavior. Countless records of missions he had been a part of stated that he had at least one moment of cowardice or grandstanding. Not a great look for the young man. "Look, if you have any doubts about this, we can just ask Bunnie for another recipe..."

To her surprise, she looked up to find him now marching down the path leading out of the Great Forest! Rolling her eyes at his audaciousness, she quickly ran to catch up with the now determined coyote. I suppose this is the part where he tries to show off. Well...two can play at that game!