Chapter 8

A persistent, cold wind whipped across the village of Knothole as the Freedom Fighters reconvened around the twisting oak slide near the edge of town. Numerous hammered planks, as well as repurposed sap and resin vibrated furiously as the recent repairs dealt with its impromptu test. Bunnie and Antoine were flung into a mesh net, a marked improvement from the hay bails prior, and found themselves being brought to their feet by Sonic and Sally, who had been patiently waiting at the scene. Curiously enough, another figure was in attendance.

The stoic she-wolf chieftain had joined the hedgehog and chipmunk in waiting for their fellows, a curious scroll bunched in her grasp, taking care to not let her crystalline claws rake over the fragile surface. Lupe held it near her muzzle and gave it a tentative once over, the unfamiliar scent bringing with it a new concern. A worry that she intended to share immediately. As the group shared a intricate handshake, she gently handed the mysterious writing to its intended recipient. "Sally, you may want to take a look at this note we found. It's addressed to you specifically..."

"What?" The hedgehog suspiciously intoned, eyeing the letter with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Some fan mail maybe...?"

The chipmunk shook her head, ignoring his sly jab and opened the scroll carefully. Her eyes widened as the traced across the letters within and stopped briefly address Lupe with a equally worried expression. "Was this brought by messenger bird?"

As the question left her lips, the lupine was quick to dismiss the notion, pointing further outward into the Great Forest proper. "We caught a strange figure skulking about at the edge of town. It's scent was fairly easy to pick up on." Scratching at her marking on the side of her face for a brief moment as her large yellow eyes drifted across the group before her, she continued, "I'm honestly surprised you didn't notice sooner."

"Hey!" Sonic huffed as his eyes darted between her and the depths of the forest, beginning to march up directly to the chieftain. "We didn't have your big noses to pick up on that kinda stuff. Also..." He shifted his gaze to Antoine, who reflexively bunched up his muzzle as the hedgehog's finger waved in his face. "Ant hasn't been at his post recently." The coyote's expression relaxed immediately, not expecting the defense from his old rival!

"Okay...okay!" Sally stepped into the center of the huddle with arms above her head and an eyebrow raised. "I think we've got bigger problems with a possible spy right now. It might have something to do with the patrols we've been running into lately!" Bunnie gave her a thumbs up as the others shared quick apologies among themselves. Running her fingers through auburn hair, and readjusting the letter in her hand, the contents were at last made known...

–

Princess Sally,

My correspondence with you has been a long time in the making, but I believe peace time is the best for a proper meeting. I wish to speak with you in private about a possible alliance and the beginning of a close friendship! Come alone at the coordinates below since the patrols in Robotropolis have been ramping up. No one else...especially that loudmouth hedgehog. He's a great asset to be sure, but his presence is a danger we can't afford right now...

"What's that supposed to mean?" The blue blur could not help but interrupt as he sped up to the young girl's side as she shot him a withering glare.

"Will you let me finish?" Sally tersely replied as shifted the letter in her grasp, directing it away from Sonic's piercing gaze. Reluctantly, he retreated back to the group and began to tap his foot impatiently once more.

There is also some sensitive information that can only be shared between the two of us. As intellectuals and leaders both. I hope you understand my need for secrecy and receive this message promptly, as your new acquaintances have been sniffing around my usual routes between the Great Forest and the city proper. Hopefully, two days from now at the very least, we'll be able to finally meet in person! I am most looking forward to it, my Princess!

With great anticipation,

Your Secret Admirer

–

As the chipmunk's fingers ran across a series of digits at the corner of the page, gasping sharply as her eyes widened with mouth agape. "Oh my gosh... I don't know what to say. This...is the first time I've received something like this." Sally's cheeks were flush with emotion for just a few seconds before she shook herself out of her stupor.

"Hm, I've never attempted such a correspondence..." Antoine's hand was firmly planted under his chin as he finally addressed the group. "Seems too...how you say, 'ahead', n'cest pas?"

"I think you mean 'forward' sugar-Twan, and yeah—it's a little creepy for sure!" The rabbot interjected, placing her good hand on the vested shoulder of her lifelong friend and confidant. A warm, yet firm expression allowed the young leader to relax her posture somewhat and smiled as the half-metal lady lightly patted her arm for emphasis. "You okay with this, Sally-girl? I reckon maybe I should be meetin' our mysterious benefactor first and gettin' them to be less secret...if ya know what I mean!" Flexing her metallic arm for emphasis, it was clear that Bunnie's patience with all of the surprises lately was wearing thin.

The hedgehog, with the Antoine in step behind him, were quick to follow suit. "She's right. We've got no time to dealing with stuff like this. Could be a trap too!"

"My princess, if it is true what this 'admirer' of yours is saying, then you must be all the more cautious. If anything were to happen to you..." Sally was quick to hand off the letter to Lupe and bring up two fingers to hush the two men in equally expedient fashion!

"While you're right about being careful, we can't discount any help from possible new allies. Which is why I'm drafting Sonic and Lupe as my backup for this new mission!" This announcement caught everyone off-guard as they threatened to launch into another series of questions, which was quickly interrupted by a stern look from the chipmunk. Clearing her throat, the leader of the Freedom Fighters laid out her plan with a sly smile.

First, she regarded the new couple, as the coyote and rabbit embraced each other as they shared quiet concerns. "Bunnie...Antoine, I need you two to stay behind in case this is a plot to draw me away from Knothole for an sneak attack on the village."

Shifting her gaze from them, next was her companion, who was already stretching and shifting, eager for his next adventure! "Sonic, I need you by our side to get us back to Knothole quickly should anything come up. Your combat abilities will be an asset, as always!" A quick "yeah" and pumping of his fists showed the hedgehog's approval and readiness as he began to run in place!
"What is my role to play in this plan of yours, Princess?" The she-wolf was obviously confused, as she had only been present to give her the letter and her report from her colleagues. Also, this would be her first mission proper with the Freedom Fighters since their unplanned stay in the Great Forest. The issue of the cure for their crystalline affliction, forced upon them by a returning Robotnik, was still a present concern as well.

"This 'secret admirer' of mine didn't count on me having a great tracker on my side. I think they need to learn that we do things as a group, after all!" The princess ran her fingers across her nose to make her point clear and waited patiently for the chief's response!

Lupe threw head back with a hearty laugh and threw her fist outward. A brown-furred hand and a gloved one joined into a shared fist-bump. "I would be honored to join your 'pack' for a day, Sally! Let's do it to it!" With that, a howl from her signified that a hunt was imminent!

Rapping the paper with the back of her hand, Sally Acorn called an end to the hasty meeting. "Okay then! If we're all in agreement, we'll meet at the coordinates here in the morning..." Turning her head upward as a strong gust ran through her voluminous hair, she stared at the stars and moon as they glistened in the sky. Clouds began to form as a trickle of rain began to fall around the group. Waving briefly as everyone ran off toward the comforts of home, she felt herself being picked up by Sonic as he gave her an express trip back to an awaiting bed! Numerous questions began to flood her brain as she pondered over the contents of that letter.

How long have you been watching us and why have you not come forward until now? Might be an overactive imagination, but I've got a bad feeling about this...