Disclaimer: BSD and I do not own Sonic and Co.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews and advice, keep it coming and enjoy...
Hands Of Wrath: Chapter Six
Sonic tore across the plains as fast as he could. Sally curled up in his arms watched as the scenery whizzed by.
"How much longer have we got?" Sonic asked.
Sally took a small watch out of one of her inside pockets. "Two more hours." She replied, replacing the watch.
Sonic poured on the speed. Sweet dripping off his brow. Sally got out a handkerchief and mopped his brow. "Thanks." Sonic said as Sally replaced the hanky.
Soon the sea came into view, "We're almost there." Sally called out. In no time at all, they reached the small bay side town of Big Blue. Sonic set Sally down.
"Now to find a sailor that'll take us to that island." Sonic said.
"Lets try the local public house. There are bound to be all types inside." Sally piped up.
"Good idea Sal." Sonic said.
They hadn't noticed that many of the locals were staring at Sally rather oddly. Upon entering the tavern, the locals all stopped and stared. Making their way to the bar to inquire about someone to take them to the island, Sally noticed most of the patrons staring at her. She huddled up close to Sonic.
"What's wrong?" Sonic asked. Sally looked down. Sonic followed her gaze.
"Ah hell, I knew we forgot something." Sonic said "Just stick close to me. "Bartender, Bartender." Sonic called.
A burly chap came over. "Ya, whadda yous wont?" He asked.
"We need a Sailor to take us to the island on which the Desert Palace ruins lie." Sonic replied.
The bartender shifted his eyes from Sonic to Sally. Leaning over the bar he espied her metal legs and stomach. "Wot 'appened to 'er? Caught in 'Botniks Robotizah?"
"Well, yeah I guess you could say that, and speaking of Robotnik, have you seen him as of late?" Sonic asked.
"Strange that ye be askin'. I's spot's 'im not more an' a week aga. Carrin' someit' e' was. Some type a' container. Well, ever since 'en peoples bein' scared ta go thar." The bartender replied.
"Well, is there someone who'll take us there? We'll pay." Sally said to the bartender.
"Dunno if thar bein'-"
" Mark, who's that your speaking to?" came a voice from behind the bar.
"Jus' a customer. Needs a ride to that thar island." Mark replied.
From out a covered doorway came a women. She took one look at Sonic and Sally and sidled over to her husband.
"Why didn't you say it was Sonic and Sally?" She tried to whisper to her husband.
"How's was I suppo' ta know."
"Mark, go clean some cups or something. I'll take care of this." Mark grunted and went off to serve the other patrons.
"Now what do you two need in my humble tavern?" She asked.
"We need someone who can take us to the Desert Ruins. Do you know anyone?" Sonic asked.
"I know someone alright." The women said. "Mark!"
"What y'all be wantin' now?" Mark asked.
"Take these here young un's to the Desert Ruins."
"But I's got a bar to run." Mark complained.
"None of your excuses Mark Bleinsten. I'll look after the bar while your gone."
Mark grunted as he took his apron off and stepped out from behind the bar. "Follas me." He said as he lead them to the dock. "Youse is lucky ta git ta the island. It nearly 'igh tide."
Sonic and Sally got into the boat. Mark pushed off and they were off headed for the island. They soon docked. "I'll wait for youse 'ere. But I can only waits two hours 'fore the tide goes out agin."
Sonic and Sally thanked him and made their way inland. They soon found the Desert Palace ruins. As they advanced, Sally looked in awe at all the ruins as they towered above them. Huge pillars and statues glared down as they passed.
"There's the capsule." Sonic pointed out. Sally followed his finger and sure enough there it sat in an alcove in one of the ruins. As they advanced, they both forgot that maybe Eggman might have set a trap for them.
"Careful of quick sand." Sally pointed out.
"Thanks Sal." Sonic said and noticed a sucking pool just off to his right.
They both continued toward the canister. They both stopped when they heard a slight grinding sound. Looking round they couldn't see anything, then they heard it again.
"Where's that sound coming from?" Sonic asked.
"Sonic, look." Sally pointed at one of the huge statues. It was coming free from it's place in the wall. Sonic espied an old pillar close to the statue.
"Leave this to me." Sonic said. Waiting for the statue to start walking toward them, Sonic charged the statue and buzz sawed the pillar. It crashed on one of the statues arms but didn't stop it. As the stone skin fell away, Sally noticed the gleam of metal reflecting in the sun.
"It's not a statue, it's one of Eggman's robots." Sally called to Sonic.
Sonic had noticed the metal as well. He was trying to figure out how to beat it. It stood well over thirty meters tall. Sonic realized that he would have to improvise if he wanted to beat this thing. Sonic jumped back as the thing stomped down with it's huge foot. Sonic barely had time to recover before the robot swiped a huge hand at him. Diving to the left, Sonic only just avoided the giant hand.
"Sonic, watch out. There's quick sand just behind you.!" Sally yelled.
At hearing this, that gave Sonic an idea. Sally watched as he ran in a wide circle and then stop dead. "Hey over here Rocky." Sonic taunted.
"Sonic, get out of there!" Sally yelled. But Sonic just stood there as the giant robot advanced.
Sally looked on in horror as the bot bore down on Sonic. Then it's foot went through the sand. Sonic had lured it into the quick sand patch. Try as it might, the giant robot couldn't pull itself out. Sonic walked back over to Sally, leaving the robot to sink into the sand.
"Let's get that piece and get out of her before any of his friends turn up." Sonic said picking Sally up and speeding to the capsule. Once again the lasers shot out and verified them as users and it opened. A whoosh of cold air hit them and in the capsule sat the third piece of the de-robotizer.
"O.k. We got what we came for. Time to juice." And with that he picked up sally and shot back to the boat.
Mark took them back to Big Blue and bade them farewell. Then Sonic took off back to Knothole. It was fast approaching the late part of the afternoon when they got back. Sonic could hardly walk as he staggered in to the planning room and collapsed onto the sofa, half dead. Sally decided to check on her condition. The virus had spread down the top part of her lower right shin and it was slowly making it's way up her right side and over her stomach. Sally couldn't believe that it had spread so fast. She sat down on a chair and started to think what would happen if Sonic couldn't stop it. Would Sonic be able to destroy her or would she destroy him? Sally shook her head. "I shouldn't think like that." she thought to herself.
"Sonic? Are you alright?" Sally asked getting up from her chair. Sonic turned his head,
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little bit worn out." Sally came over and sat next to him.
"My poor guy." She said smiling at him. "This should make you feel better." And gave him a hug. Sonic smiled up at her.
"Thanks, Sal." Sonic said getting to his feet. Looking at the wall clock, Sonic noticed the time.
"Well, I guess we could have something to eat before we turn in."
"Sounds good to me." Sally replied getting up off the sofa. Making their way to the mess hall, Sonic casually glanced down at Sally's body. That virus was spreading at an alarming rate but they nearly had all the parts.
'Just hang in there Sal gal' Sonic thought to himself. Sonic had five chili dogs as usual, but Sally only had a few meat balls with mashed potatoes. Sonic devoured the chili dogs like a hedgehog possessed, but Sally idly toyed with her food while eating it. Sonic pretended not to notice. Sonic hadn't eaten properly in three days, only having the occasional snack to keep him going.
"Well, I guess it's time to get to bed now." Sonic yawned.
"I agree." Sally replied stretching as she did so.
"Good night Sonic" Sally bade him.
"Good night Sal" Sonic replied.
Waking up the next morning, Sally was dreading what she would find. Bracing herself, she gently pulled the duvet back. What she saw shocked her. The virus seemed to have sped up. Yesterday it was just above her knee on her right lag, now it reached down to her ankle. It had climbed up the left side of her stomach to below her chest and was clawing across her stomach. Pulling on her boots and waistcoat, Sally made her way silently to planning room. Inside she found Sonic playing about with the three pieces of the robotizer that they had collected. Sonic looked up from what he was doing. He stared open mouthed at what stood before him. Getting up, he made his way over to Sally.
"Sal, What's happened?" Sonic asked "The virus, it's sped up."
"I'm becoming a monster." Sally said through her tears.
"No your not. You are still you." Sonic comforted her.
"I am a monster. You know it as well as me." Sally sniffed turning her back on Sonic.
"Well, if you are a monster then would I do this?" And in saying that, Sonic turned Sally round to face him then he put his arms around her and held her close.
"And if you're a monster would I do this?" Sonic then placed hi lips on hers. Slowly, Sally raised her arms and put them round him. Sonic still believed that she wasn't a monster and he just proved that. He still loved her if not more. As their lips parted, Sally looked at him.
"Your no monster. You're my big, brave girl." Sally smiled at him.
"Thank you Sonic." Sally sobbed "Thank you." Sally wondered how could she have given up just like that. She had to be strong like Sonic. Resting her head on his chest, she wanted to hear his heart beat. She felt Sonic gently stroke her hair. The combination of Sonic stroking her hair and the thudding of Sonics heart help to relax her.
"You o.k. now? He asked.
"I...I think so." Sally stammered through her tears.
"Let's get some breakfast, that'll make you feel better." With his arm still around her, Sonic lead sally to the Mess hall. Sonic pulled out seven chili dogs, but Sally only had a single piece of bacon. As Sonic was about to tuck into his food Sally sat next to him with the piece of bacon. He glanced at her plate and then up at her. Sally's eyes met his. Saying nothing he just put one arm round her.
"I'm changing." Sally sobbed.
"I won't let that happen. We are so close to the last piece I can smell it. You'll be back to your old self again, I promise." Sonic said, patting her hand. "Have a bite of my chili dog?" He said offering one to her. Sally took it and had a small bite.
"Thank you." She answered after she swallowed the mouthful.
Sonic smiled and gave her a quick cuddle. "Carry on, don't stop on my account." Sally said. Sonic turned back to continue with his breakfast. Sally folded her arms and looked down at the piece of bacon. Picking up a fork, she speared it ate it. It sat in her stomach like a lead weight. Sonic finished his and took her into the planning room. As they entered, they noticed that once again the flashing red light. Sonic walked over and pressed the button. As usual, Eggman's face came up. But this time he looked as though he was going to murder something. His face had gone a light shade of crimson and his mustache was juddering.
"So, you think your so clever with the last piece? Well, I have news for you, you blue speed rat, the last piece will not be so easy to get. I won't tell you where it is as you can probably guess. I'll be ready for you and when I get my hands on you, I'll make you bleed and goes for that rat of a girl you have as well." Sally was shocked. She felt Sonics arms move around her. "Heed this message you cocky blue weasel and you too you useless rat of a princess. I WILL be ready for you."
With that the message ended. Sally blinked tears out of her eyes. Then she heard a soft growl. She looked up at Sonic. His teeth were gritted, his brow furrowed and he stared at the blank space where Eggman's message had played with fury in his eyes. Sally felt afraid and tried to step back. Sonic felt the tug at his arms and snapped back to his usual self as he looked at Sally as she shied away.
"I'm sorry." Sonic apologized. Sally calmed down a little as he pulled her in close. "I'm sorry if I scared you." Sonic said as he held Sally close. Sally huddled against his shoulder. This might be the last time she would ever be held by him. "We'll get that last piece and I'll make Eggman pay for what he did to you." Sonic told her as he stroked her hair. "Stay with me." Sally said. "For just a bit longer." Sonic smiled down at her. "O.k. for a little longer." He replied.